A decreased risk of meningioma in women smokers was only observed in American studies rather than studies conducted in other countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Whether smoking is related to a decreased risk of meningioma in women is still controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the association between smoking and risk of meningiomas in women. Methods Two authors independently performed a systematic literature review in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases. We identified case-control and cohort studies quantifying associations between smoking and risk of meningioma in women. A meta-analysis by pooling studies was performed according to the multivariate-adjusted risk estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) preferentially. We further conducted additional subgroup and sensitivity analyses to explore possible explanations of the results. Results A total of seven observational studies were included, with a total of 2132 female patients diagnosed with meningiomas. Ever smoking was associated with a significantly reduced risk of meningioma in women, with pooled odds ratio (OR) of 0.83 (95% CI 0.70–0.98). Similar findings were noted for current (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.66–0.93) and past (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.71–0.94) smokers. However, considering the areas, the OR of ever smoking was 0.77 (95% CI 0.68–0.87) in three American studies, but 0.99 (95% CI 0.73–1.35) in four studies conducted in other countries. Conclusions Based on limited epidemiological evidence, a decreased risk of meningioma in women smokers was only observed in American studies rather than studies conducted in other countries.

Menthol Smoking and Nicotine Dependence among Black/African American Women Smokers Living in Low-Resource, Rural Communities

Black/African American women from low-resource, rural communities bear a disproportionate burden of tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. This study examined associations between menthol smoking and socioeconomic deprivation with nicotine dependence and quitting behaviors among Black/African American women cigarette and/or little cigar/cigarillo smokers, aged 18–50 living in low-resource, rural communities. Baseline survey data from a randomized controlled behavioral/intervention trial (#NCT03476837) were analyzed (n = 146). Outcomes included time to first tobacco product (cigarette/little cigar/cigarillo) use within 5 min of waking, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) score, and ever attempting to quit cigarettes. Socioeconomic deprivation measures included education, income, and receiving supplemental nutritional assistance (SNAP) program benefits. In adjusted regression analyses, menthol smoking was associated with both greater FTND scores and time to first tobacco product use within 5 min of waking, but not ever attempting to quit cigarettes. Regardless of menthol status, only 25.0% of smokers reported that they would quit smoking if menthol cigarettes were banned. The proportion of smokers who smoked their first tobacco product within 5 min of waking increased slightly with greater socioeconomic deprivation. Additional research and targeted efforts are needed to reduce nicotine dependence among Black/African American women smokers living in rural, low-resource communities where access to cessation services is limited.

Successful Smoking Cessation among Women Smokers Based on Utilizing National Smoking Cessation Service Type in Korea

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the successful smoking cessation across different national smoking cessation services. Methods: This study included data that had been previously entered into the integrated information system for smoking cessation services and comprised 144,688 participants after excluding missing data. These clinics provide face-to-face counseling, phone calls, text messages, and e-mail services for six months and nine sessions. Results: The women-only program had the lowest success rate (11.3%). Compared with the women-only program, the six-month success rate of smoking cessation clinic at public health centers (OR = 3.72, CI = [3.52, 3.92]), visiting-type smoking cessation clinics (OR = 2.97, CI = [2.79, 3.16]), the residential 4 -night 5-day program (OR = 7.79, CI = [6.49, 9.35]), and a program for inpatients (OR = 2.36, CI = [1.89, 2.94]) showed a significant increase. Conclusions: Emotional labor workers who participated in the women-only program had low smoking cessation success rates, while those who participated in the residential 4-night 5-day program had high success rates.

Oromucosal lesions in women smokers: an Indian perspective

Women smoking is looked down upon by Indian society. However, a young woman smoking is not a rare sight on college campuses in metro cities. Substantial body of literature indicates that nicotine is the major component which leads to addiction. The habit which starts to look cool and fashionable in no time becomes an addiction. Indian society, which doesn’t acknowledge that women are indulging in smoking, makes the whole fight about tobacco addiction a turbulent journey. As society doesn’t accept that women smoke, there is no need to create awareness about its gendered impact. The study was undertaken by evaluating the oromucosal conditions and haemoglobin levels of 100 women smokers. Smokers’ palate, smoking associated pigmentation on lips and calculus deposits were observed in most of the participants. The participants were not aware about the hormonal issues and detrimental side effects of smoking to their health.

Fresher with flavour: young women smokers’ constructions and experiences of menthol capsule cigarettes and regular cigarettes

Background Flavour capsule cigarettes are one of the fastest growing segments of the tobacco market, and there is evidence that Australian young people are increasingly using menthol flavoured capsule cigarettes. This qualitative research examines how young women construct and experience menthol flavour capsule cigarettes as part of their smoking practices, and explores the perceived differences between menthol capsule cigarettes and regular cigarettes. Semi-structured face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with 41 Australian young women smokers, using a constructivist grounded theory approach. Results Findings reveal that the perceived fresh and improved taste of menthol and the ability to customise the smoking process positively contributed to young women’s experiences of smoking menthol capsule cigarettes. In particular, menthol capsule flavour cigarettes were constructed by the young women as “fresh”, “light” and “minty”, and “popping” the menthol capsule allowed the young women to personalise their smoking experience. Conclusion These results indicate that specific public health campaigns and legislation should be developed to counter the powerfully alluring effects and the innovative appeal of menthol capsule cigarettes.

EFFECT OF COMBINATION OF TIOTROPIUM/ OLODATEROL ON PULMONARY FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH COPD IN THE REAL CLINICAL PRACTICE

EFFECT OF COMBINATION OF TIOTROPIUM/OLODATEROL ON PULMONARY FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH COPD IN THE REAL CLINICAL PRACTICE Y. M. Mostovoy, K. D. Dmytriiev, N. S. Slepchenko Abstract Aim — to evaluate the effect of combination therapy with tiotropium/olodaterol on pulmonary function in real clinical practice. Materials and methods. 100 patients with the diagnosis of COPD were included into the study (mean age was 64,09±1,94 years, 66 men and 34 women). Smokers — 68 %, mean smoking duration (24,44 ± 4,84) packyears. Average COPD duration was 9,35±2,42 years. All patients underwent spirometry at screening, 4-6 weeks and at 1 year after inclusion. FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, FEF25, FEF50, FEF75, PEF, MMEF75/85, FEF75/85 were calculated. Results. There was statistically significant improvement in FEV1 and FVC values between visits 1 and 3 (p < 0,05). At visit 3 there was a statistically significant difference in FEV1 and FVC values when compared with same values at visit 1 after the inhalation of salbutamol, demonstrating better bronchodilation effect of tiotropium/olodaterol. Absolute increase of FEV1 between visits 1 and 3 was 221,31±34,9 ml; FVC — 411,01±66,08 ml. There was statistically significant increase of FEF75, MMEF75/25, FEF75/85 between visits 1 and 3 (p < 0,05). There was statistically significant increase of FEF75 at visits 2 and 3 in comparison with postBD FEF75 at visit, confirming better bronchodilation effect of tiotropium/olodaterol combination of at the level of small bronchi when compared with salbutamol (p < 0,05). Conclusions. Tiotropium/olodaterol combination showed good effect on pulmonary function in patients with COPD in real clinical settings. This combination demonstrated better bronchodilation than salbutamol, especially at the level of small bronchi. Key words: COPD, tiotropium/olodaterol, spirometry. Ukr. Pulmonol. J. 2020;29(3):28–30.

Improving Aboriginal Maternal Health by Strengthening Connection to Culture, Family and Community

(1) Background: To explore the function of smoking in Aboriginal women’s lives from a trauma-informed, women-centred approach in order to inform the design of a culturally meaningful smoking cessation program for women living in the Pilbara, Western Australia; (2) Methods: Qualitative and Community Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR) was used to discover what Aboriginal women know about smoking, the specific contextual issues that influence their smoking, and what community supports are available to help them quit smoking. Inductive analysis was used to determine key themes; (3) Results: 25 Aboriginal women (smokers, non-smokers, and ex-smokers) participated in focus groups or individual interviews. Women smoked to deal with stress, trauma and for maintaining social connections. Women who stopped smoking did so on their own when the reason was important enough or when they saw alternative ways of living. Creating safe places to bring women together to yarn about women’s business and link with health services was identified as critical to support women to stop smoking. Conclusions: Strategies to address smoking need to bring community, culture and health together in a meaningful way for women and their families; build on existing community strengths; and educate communities about the effects of smoking, and health professionals about how to support women to stop smoking.