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Nicotine is an alkaloid found in the nightshade family of plants (''Solanaceae'') which constitutes approximately 0.6–3.0% of dry weight of tobacco, with biosynthesis taking place in the roots, and accumulating in the leaves.

Vaping while pregnant isn't harmless—study uncovers risks to newborn lung health

Researchers found that e-cigarette exposure during pregnancy can disrupt fetal lung development, increase oxidative stress, and heighten the risk of respiratory diseases in newborns.

27 Feb 2025

An avocado a day won’t fix heart health, but it boosts diet and sleep

A randomized controlled trial found that daily avocado consumption for 26 weeks did not significantly improve overall cardiovascular health (LE8 score) but did enhance diet quality, sleep health, and blood lipids.

20 Feb 2025

Younger people more susceptible to nicotine addiction than middle-aged adults

People in their late teens and early 20s may be more sensitive to nicotine and more susceptible to nicotine addiction than middle aged adults, according to a new study in mice from researchers in the Penn State Department of Biobehavioral Health.

20 Feb 2025

Study looks at effects of menthol cigarette ban on smoking habits

New research published in Health Economics indicates that a national prohibition of menthol cigarettes in the United States could increase the number of people who attempt to quit smoking but also support an illegal menthol cigarette market.

19 Feb 2025

Study links genetics to success of smoking cessation with varenicline

The effectiveness of a common drug to quit smoking could be down to people's genes, according to a study from the University of Leicester (United Kingdom).

18 Feb 2025

Diabetes drugs may boost brain health but experts warn of risks

Researchers reviewed 374 studies to explore how GLP-1RAs, originally for diabetes, may impact brain health, finding potential benefits for dementia and addiction but inconsistent results for mood disorders.

16 Feb 2025

Vaping and gum health: How does it compare to smoking?

A systematic review found that e-cigarette users show increased plaque and inflammation markers compared to non-smokers, though their gum health fares better than traditional smokers. However, the certainty of these findings is low due to study bias.

16 Feb 2025

ADHD symptoms increase risk of e-cigarette and tobacco use in U.S. youths

A new study finds that U.S. youths with symptomatic ADHD are significantly more likely to initiate e-cigarette and tobacco use over time, highlighting the need for early intervention and effective ADHD management.

16 Feb 2025

Is vaping the gateway to smoking?

The review highlights insufficient evidence for e-cigarettes as a gateway to smoking, calling for improved studies to guide effective public health regulations.

13 Feb 2025

Scientists discover brain mechanism behind nicotine withdrawal

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 22% of the global population smokes, with more than 9 million smoking-related deaths reported annually.

12 Feb 2025

Less restrictive regulation on vaping could improve public health outcomes

University of Queensland researchers have found smoking rates have declined twice as fast in New Zealand as in Australia, suggesting less restrictive regulation on vaping could improve public health outcomes.

11 Feb 2025

New project aims to measure nicotine use through sewage

University of California, Merced's Nicotine and Cannabis Policy Center has embarked on an innovative partnership with researchers at the university who track an entire community's health and habits with samples of human sewage.

11 Feb 2025

Study challenges belief that vaping leads to youth smoking

A team of public health researchers found "very low-certainty evidence" to support a commonly held belief that nicotine vaping is a gateway to cigarette smoking for young people.

11 Feb 2025

Childhood physical activity can prevent tobacco smoking in adolescence

Teenagers may be less likely to initiate tobacco smoking if they engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) from childhood, a new study conducted in collaboration between the Universities of Bristol and Exeter in the UK, and the University of Eastern Finland shows.

11 Feb 2025

Regular dental flossing linked to lower risk of stroke and irregular heartbeats

Flossing your teeth at least once a week may be linked to a lower risk of stroke caused by a blood clot blocking brain blood flow and irregular heartbeats, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2025.

30 Jan 2025

Study shows long-term cannabis use disrupts critical brain processes

Heavy lifetime cannabis use is associated with reduced brain activation in key cognitive regions, particularly during working memory tasks, while recent use may cause temporary cognitive impairments.

28 Jan 2025

Cannabis smoke at home linked to secondhand exposure in children

The study links in-home cannabis smoking to elevated THC levels in children, highlighting the need for interventions to reduce secondhand exposure risks.

27 Jan 2025

Trump’s early health moves signal intent to erase Biden’s legacy. What’s next is unclear.

President Donald Trump's early actions on health care signal his likely intention to wipe away some Biden-era programs to lower drug costs and expand coverage under public insurance programs.

23 Jan 2025

Strong heart, strong bones: How cardiovascular health influences bone density

Higher cardiovascular health (Life’s Essential 8 scores) is linked to greater bone mineral density in adults aged 20–59, with stronger associations in younger individuals, women, and those with normal BMI, suggesting heart-healthy habits may protect bone strength.

22 Jan 2025

"Smoke-free generation" concept could save billions in health-care costs

Smoking stubbornly remains a leading cause of disease, disability and death in Canada, even as prevalence rates have fallen significantly over the last 50 years.

16 Jan 2025