Nicotine News and Research

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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.

1 in 4 people with histories of nicotine use, substance abuse likely to use opioid painkillers long-term

Opioid painkiller addiction and accidental overdoses have become far too common across the United States. To try to identify who is most at risk, Mayo Clinic researchers studied how many patients prescribed an opioid painkiller for the first time progressed to long-term prescriptions. The answer: 1 in 4. People with histories of tobacco use and substance abuse were likeliest to use opioid painkillers long-term.

2 Jul 2015

New study sheds light on the effects of marijuana on weight gain in young adults

While cannabis alters the functions of neurobiological circuits controlling appetite, its effect on weight gain is complex since several factors appear to be involved, says Didier Jutras-Aswad, University of Montreal professor and researcher at the CHUM Research Centre. "It is known - and often reported by users - that cannabis causes temporary increase in appetite.

30 Jun 2015

Moffitt Cancer Center awarded $3.6 million NIH grant to study use of e-cigarettes

Moffitt Cancer Center received a $3.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the use of electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, over the next five years.

30 Jun 2015

NIDA announces recipients of Avenir Award programs for HIV/AIDS, genetics or epigenetics research

The National Institute on Drug Abuse today announced the first six recipients of its two newly developed Avenir Award programs for HIV/AIDS and genetics or epigenetics research. The Avenir (meaning "future" in French) Awards support early stage investigators who propose highly innovative studies. The six scientists will each receive up to $300,000 per year for five years to support their research.

27 Jun 2015

Current tobacco control policies are softening the smoking population, shows UCSF study

Smokeless tobacco and, more recently, e-cigarettes have been promoted as a harm reduction strategy for smokers who are "unable or unwilling to quit."

25 Jun 2015

Teenagers uncertain about the harmful effects of marijuana or e-cigarettes

Teenagers are very familiar with the risks of smoking cigarettes, but are much less sure whether marijuana or e-cigarettes are harmful, according to a new study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

24 Jun 2015

Study explores effects of household smoking on children's later weight gain

Children whose parents smoked when they were toddlers are likely to have a wider waist and a higher BMI by time they reach ten years of age, reveal researchers at the University of Montreal and its affiliated CHU Sainte Justine Research Centre. "We suspect the statistics we've established linking childhood obesity to exposure to parents' smoking may underestimate the effect due to parents under reporting the amount they smoked out of shame," explained Professor Linda Pagani, who led the study.

22 Jun 2015

New study finds that children's exposure to second-hand smoke in England declines by 80%

A new study published today by the scientific journal Addiction finds that in England, children's exposure to second-hand smoke has declined by approximately 80% since 1998.

12 Jun 2015

Study shows how GLP-1 receptor agonists modify the brain's response to food

Gut hormone-based medications used to treat diabetes, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, have also been shown to reduce body weight. Researchers have been working to understand how. This study, presented today at the American Diabetes Association's 75th Scientific Sessions, sheds light on how GLP-1 receptor agonists alter the brain's response to food, possibly reducing cravings and increasing satisfaction while eating.

9 Jun 2015

Smoking cannabis may reduce chances of infection by intestinal worms

Washington State University researchers have found that the more hunter-gatherers smoke cannabis, the less they are infected by intestinal worms. The link suggests that they may unconsciously be, in effect, smoking medical marijuana.

1 Jun 2015

Practical guidance to ensure safe use of flavourings in e-cigarettes

The first practical guide to ensure the safe use of flavourings in e-cigarettes has been published. E-cigarettes and other vaping products contain a nicotine-based liquid that is vapourised and inhaled. There is no combustion so the user inhales vapour, not smoke. This means that e-cigarettes deliver nicotine without smoke toxicants. However, some in the public health community still have expressed concerns over the potential health impacts of flavourings used in e-cigarettes.

29 May 2015

MedUni Vienna expert suggests pricing strategy to reduce smoking

30% of the estimated 2.3 million smokers in Austria are considered to be heavily tobacco-dependent and, according to experts at MedUni Vienna, require professional treatment. This would mean around 690,000 people. According to Michael Kunze, an expert on smoking at the Center for Public Health at MedUni Vienna, an effective strategy would be to increase the price of tobacco products: "If the price of cigarettes were to rise just one percent above the inflation rate, that would bring about a 0.5% reduction in consumption worldwide."

29 May 2015

UM researcher receives grant to examine effects of CBT on racial/ethnic minority smokers

Numerous studies have shown that African Americans and Hispanics are less likely than Caucasians to quit smoking, even if they participate in cessation interventions.

28 May 2015

Cough reflex sensitivity diminishes in participants exposed to e-cigarette, shows study

With just one exposure to electronic-cigarette (e-cigarette) vapor, participants in a study of 30 healthy subjects demonstrated a diminishment of cough reflex sensitivity.

18 May 2015

No data exists to support long-term efficacy, safety of e-cigarettes as smoking cessation tool

There is little reliable evidence that electronic cigarettes are effective for long-term smoking cessation, according to a new analysis of the currently available research which was presented at the 2015 American Thoracic Society International Conference.

18 May 2015

E-cigarette liquid flavors may alter key cellular functions in lung tissue

Certain flavorings used in electronic cigarette liquid may alter important cellular functions in lung tissue, according to new research presented at the 2015 American Thoracic Society International Conference.

18 May 2015

Differences in mechanical, chemical makeup of e-cigarettes can have adverse effects on human health

Unlike standard cigarettes, the components of electronic cigarettes are not regulated and standardized, thus they vary widely between products.

17 May 2015

Financial incentive programs help smokers kick the habit, finds Penn study

Four different financial incentive programs, each worth roughly $800 over six months, all help more smokers kick the habit than providing free access to behavioral counseling and nicotine replacement therapy. Further, the way in which equally-sized payouts are structured influences their effectiveness.

14 May 2015

Orexigen Therapeutics provides update on business and financial results for Q1 2015

Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. today announced business and financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015.

8 May 2015

Neuroscientists identify novel brain circuitry that increases anxiety during nicotine withdrawal

In a promising breakthrough for smokers who are trying to quit, neuroscientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and The Scripps Research Institute have identified circuitry in the brain responsible for the increased anxiety commonly experienced during withdrawal from nicotine addiction.

22 Apr 2015

Nicotine News and Research

Further Reading

1 in 4 people with histories of nicotine use, substance abuse likely to use opioid painkillers long-term

New study sheds light on the effects of marijuana on weight gain in young adults

Moffitt Cancer Center awarded $3.6 million NIH grant to study use of e-cigarettes

NIDA announces recipients of Avenir Award programs for HIV/AIDS, genetics or epigenetics research

Current tobacco control policies are softening the smoking population, shows UCSF study

Teenagers uncertain about the harmful effects of marijuana or e-cigarettes

Study explores effects of household smoking on children's later weight gain

New study finds that children's exposure to second-hand smoke in England declines by 80%

Study shows how GLP-1 receptor agonists modify the brain's response to food

Smoking cannabis may reduce chances of infection by intestinal worms

Practical guidance to ensure safe use of flavourings in e-cigarettes

MedUni Vienna expert suggests pricing strategy to reduce smoking

UM researcher receives grant to examine effects of CBT on racial/ethnic minority smokers

Cough reflex sensitivity diminishes in participants exposed to e-cigarette, shows study

No data exists to support long-term efficacy, safety of e-cigarettes as smoking cessation tool

E-cigarette liquid flavors may alter key cellular functions in lung tissue

Differences in mechanical, chemical makeup of e-cigarettes can have adverse effects on human health

Financial incentive programs help smokers kick the habit, finds Penn study

Orexigen Therapeutics provides update on business and financial results for Q1 2015

Neuroscientists identify novel brain circuitry that increases anxiety during nicotine withdrawal

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

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