Jan 17 to 23 2016, National Non-Smoking Week in Canada, depression, alcohol consumption and smoking cessation

In Canada National Non-Smoking Week just rounded up which is a week that not only discuses smoking cessation but also depression and alcohol consumption as well. Quitting smoking is a large New Year’s resolution for many of us and even though the first month of 2016 is coming to an end you still have plenty of time to start working on quitting smoking.

To give you a hand we have rounded up out top articles in regards to smoking, smoking cessation, depression and even alcohol consumption.

Smoking cessation drug initially more effective on women

A Yale School of Medicine study revealed that an efficient smoking cessation drug is initially more effective on women than men.

However, after one year of use the drug was found to be equally effective on both men and women.
Professor at Yale Sherry McKee, Ph.D., said, “Studies show that women have a harder time quitting smoking than men, even as quitting has shown greater benefits to women’s cardiovascular and respiratory health. With this first comprehensive analysis of sex differences in the effectiveness of this drug, now women and their healthcare providers can better decide how to successfully quit and live longer, healthier lives.” Continue reading…

Heavy smoking, alcohol abuse cause DNA changes; accelerate aging process

Heavy smoking and alcohol abuse have been linked with DNA changes, which can accelerate the aging process. Research was presented at the 2015 American Society of Human Genetics Annual Meeting.

Researchers used publicly available data from Gene Expression Omnibus and analyzed patterns in DNA methylation. Previous research revealed methylation changes could predict how people age and reveal responses to such habits as smoking and drinking alcohol. Two specific locations in genome were identified as having an association with smoking and alcohol. Continue reading…

Stop depression after heart attack by quitting smoking and getting regular exercise

Depression after a heart attack can be combated by quitting smoking and getting regular exercise, according to new findings. The research was conducted by the European Society of Cardiology. Dr. Manuela Abreu from the University of Lisbon, Portugal, said, “Depression is almost three times more common in people who have had a heart attack than in those who haven’t. Cardiac rehabilitation with aerobic exercise can reduce depressive symptoms and improve cardiovascular fitness.”

Dr. David Nanchen from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, added, “Patients who are depressed after a heart attack have a two-fold risk of having another heart attack or dying compared to those who are not depressed.”

Dr. Nanchen studied 1,164 patients and assessed them for depression after one year of the study. Continue reading…

Link between smoking and alcohol consumption explained

Numerous studies have shown a link between smoking and alcohol consumption, and new research has come to light that further explains the association. Previously, it was discovered that 85 percent of drinkers were also nicotine-dependent. The latest findings, which come from the University of Missouri School of Medicine, reveal that the association comes from the effects of smoking that cancel out the sleep-inducing effects of alcohol.

Lead author of the study Dr. Mahesh Thakkar, said, “We know that many people who drink alcohol also use nicotine, but we don’t know why exactly that is. We have found that nicotine weakens the sleep-inducing effects of alcohol by stimulating a response in an area of the brain known as the basal forebrain. By identifying the reactions that take place when people smoke and drink, we may be able to use this knowledge to help curb alcohol and nicotine addiction.” Continue reading…

Smoking bans more effective than taxes to encourage smoking cessation

Smoking bans have shown to be more effective in getting people to quit smoking than increasing taxes on cigarettes. Although higher taxes have been shown to improve rates of smoking cessation, smoking bans have proven slightly better. It’s important to note that smoking bans were more effective among those who were casual smokers as opposed to those who smoke a pack a day, but higher taxes are more effective in heavier smokers.

Study author, Mike Vuolo, said, “Both taxes and bans have their place. But bans might stop casual smokers from becoming heavy tobacco users. If you think of casual smoking as the beginning of the path to addiction, then bans might be the way to go.” Continue reading…