Tobacco & Marijuana

Smoking produces changes in human brain like those in animals using illicit drugs

New research shows for the first time that smoking produces long-lasting biochemical changes in the human brain similar to those changes previously seen in…    

Indicators for risk of heart disease higher in passive smokers

Exposure to secondhand smoke at work, home or elsewhere results in a disproportionate rise in markers that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, researchers…    

Blindness from Smoking Terrifies Teens, but Few Realise the Two Are Linked

Teenagers fear blindness more than lung cancer or stroke, but nine out of 10 don’t know that smoking can rob them of their sight…    

Opioid use at end of life does not hasten death

Effective use of opioids to control pain around the time of death does not appear to hasten death, contrary to general beliefs.

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Family Programs Can Help Keep Kids From Smoking

A review of research on smoking prevention programs has turned up several family-based initiatives that helped keep children from becoming smokers.

Successful…    

Smoking ups risk of virus-related Hodgkin lymphoma

Smoking increases the risk of Hodgkin’s lymphoma in general and the risk of Epstein-Barr virus-positive Hodgkin’s lymphoma in particular, a study published in…    

Study Finds Association Between Tobacco Smoking and Increased Risk of TB

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that causes an estimated 2 million deaths each year. The majority of those deaths occur in developing countries,…    

Genes, lifestyle raise macular degeneration risk

New research suggests that one’s genetic make-up interacts with two modifiable risk factors—obesity and smoking—to multiply the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD),…    

Heavy smokers who cut back still take in more toxins than light smokers

University of Minnesota tobacco researchers have found that heavy smokers who reduce their number of daily cigarettes still take in two to three times…    

Tobacco Industry Prevention Ads May Actually Have Negative Effects on Teens

Tobacco company-sponsored anti-smoking advertising aimed at youths not only has no negative effect on teen smoking, it may actually encourage youngsters to smoke, according…    

Ireland to ban sale of cigarettes in 10-packs

Ireland will ban the sale of cigarettes in packs of less than 20 from May 31 in a bid to discourage children from…    

Smokers Risk More Painful and Progressive Osteoarthritis

Smokers risk more painful and progressive osteoarthritis than non-smokers, suggests research published ahead of print in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

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New research identifies gene important for nicotine’s effects on the brain

New research identifies an important gene that influences several aspects of nicotine-induced behaviors in the brain. The study, funded by National Institutes of Drug…    

Smoking May Harm Male Fertility

Smoking may hamper a man’s fertility, according to a small study funded by cigarette company Philip Morris.

Scientists at the University…    

Halving daily cigarette quota has no health benefit

According to new research smokers who believe they are reducing their risk for heart disease by cutting back on cigarettes, are kidding themselves.

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Smoking and alcohol - a mutually destructive combo

According to new research the more you smoke, the more you’re likely to drink.

Researchers from Washington and Maryland University Medical schools…    

Adolescent smokers have a greater risk of developing alcohol-use disorders than nonsmokers

Both academic studies and casual observation support the view that smokers tend to drink, and drinkers tend to smoke. New research using nationally representative…    

Test strips for the rapid detection of cocaine

Saving the life of a poisoning victim is often a matter of minutes. It is best when the emergency doctor can perform a reliable…    

No Proven Programs to Help Teens Quit Smoking

A large new review of studies on teen-age smoking finds there is no solid evidence about how to help adolescents kick the habit once…    

Regular smoking substantially increases risk of asthma in adolescents

Adolescents who smoke cigarettes regularly have a significantly increased risk of developing asthma during their teens compared to their non-smoking peers, according to the…    

EU wants safer cigarettes to reduce fires

A coalition of public health groups, fire services, burn patients and an anti-smoking group has called for new regulations for safer cigarettes in Europe…    

Smoking cessation therapy may be harmful for ICU patients

Nicotine replacement therapy may contribute to ICU deaths

A common smoking cessation therapy used to help reduce adverse events associated with nicotine…    

Cannabis Chemicals May Alleviate Post-Eating Stomach Cramps

A chemical component extracted from the cannabis, or marijuana, plant may relax the colon and reduce stomach cramping after eating, according to a study…    

Some media savvy teens may be less likely to smoke

Making teens more media savvy about the subtle pro-smoking messages in movies and other media may reduce their likelihood of smoking, new research suggests.…    

Depressed smokers can be helped to kick the habit

Staged smoking cessation interventions can help smokers who are receiving outpatient psychiatric treatment for depression quit smoking, a study shows.

“The mental…