Tobacco use among middle and high school students--Florida, 1998 and 1999.
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Tobacco use is the single leading preventable cause of death in the United States, and an estimated $2 billion is spent annually in Florida to treat disease caused by smoking. Florida appropriated $23 million in fiscal year 1997 and $70 million in fiscal year 1998 to fund the Florida Pilot Program on Tobacco Control to prevent and reduce tobacco use among Florida youth. To determine the prevalence of cigarette, cigar, and smokeless tobacco (i.e., chewing tobacco and snuff) use among Florida middle and high school students in public schools, the Florida Department of Health conducted the Florida Youth Tobacco Survey (FYTS) in February 1998 and February 1999. The purpose of these surveys was to establish baseline parameters and monitor the progress of the pilot program, which began in April 1998. This report summarizes advance data from the surveys, which indicate that, from 1998 to 1999, the percentage of Florida public middle and high school students who smoked cigarettes decreased significantly and that the percentage of middle school students who smoked cigars and used smokeless tobacco products decreased significantly. (+info)
Oesophageal subepithelial fibrosis: an extension of oral submucosal fibrosis.
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Fifty-five patients with oral submucosal fibrosis and an equal number of patients with no evidence of the disease were studied. All patients underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and any abnormality was noted. Multiple oesophageal biopsies were obtained from the upper end of the oesophagus and from any endoscopically observed abnormality. The histological changes in the two groups were assessed blindly by an experienced histopathologist. Histological abnormalities were noted in the oesophageal mucosa in 2% of controls and 66% of patients with oral submucosal fibrosis (p < 0.0001). In the control group, acanthosis was seen in one patient, while in the patient group atrophy of the squamous epithelium was evident in 52%, hyperkeratosis in 52%, parakeratosis in 30%, dyskeratosis in 14%, acanthosis in 14%, and papillomatosis and mild dysplasia in 2% patients. Subepithelial collagenization was seen in 32 (64%) patients. The oesophageal abnormalities were seen more frequently in patients who had consumed Pan masala, Gutka, betel nut, tobacco or a combination of some or all of these, with or without betel leaf, for > or = 5 years compared to those consuming them for a shorter period of time (91% vs 46%, p < 0.001). It is concluded that oral submucosal fibrosis is not a disease confined to the oral cavity; the oesophagus may also be involved in about two-thirds of patients. (+info)
Determination of nicotine, pH, and moisture content of six U.S. commercial moist snuff products--Florida, January-February 1999.
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The use of smokeless tobacco (moist snuff and chewing tobacco) can cause oral cancer and precancerous oral lesions (leukoplakia) and is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and nicotine addiction. Despite these adverse effects, smokeless tobacco is used commonly in the United States by young people, especially male high school students. Officials in Florida requested CDC assistance in analyzing six moist snuff products to measure three factors that affect their nicotine dose: pH, nicotine content, and moisture content. This report summarizes the results of the analysis, which indicate that the pH, amount of nicotine, and moisture vary widely among brands. (+info)
Facklamia tabacinasalis sp. nov., from powdered tobacco.
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An unknown Gram-positive, catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic, coccus-shaped organism originating as a contaminant of snuff was characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies demonstrated that the bacterium represents a new subline within the genus Facklamia. The unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from Facklamis hominis and Facklamia ignava by biochemical tests and electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. On the basis of phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as Facklamia tabacinasalis sp. nov., the type strain of which is CCUG 30090T. (+info)
The purpose of this study was to determine whether dexamethasone attenuates the acute increase in macromolecular efflux from the oral mucosa elicited by an aqueous extract of smokeless tobacco (STE) in vivo, and, if so, whether this response is specific. Using intravital microscopy, we found that 20-min suffusion of STE elicited significant, concentration-related leaky site formation and an increase in clearance of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran (FITC-dextran; mol mass 70 kDa) from the in situ hamster cheek pouch (P < 0.05). This response was significantly attenuated by dexamethasone (10 mg/kg iv). Dexamethasone also attenuated the bradykinin-induced leaky site formation and the increase in clearance of FITC-dextran from the cheek pouch. However, it had no significant effects on adenosine-induced responses. Dexamethasone had no significant effects on baseline arteriolar diameter and on bradykinin-induced vasodilation in the cheek pouch. Collectively, these data indicate that dexamethasone attenuates, in a specific fashion, the acute increase in macromolecular efflux from the in situ oral mucosa evoked by short-term suffusion of STE. We suggest that corticosteroids mitigate acute oral mucosa inflammation elicited by smokeless tobacco. (+info)
Smokeless tobacco as a possible risk factor for myocardial infarction: a population-based study in middle-aged men.
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OBJECTIVES: To explore whether the use of snuff affects the risk of myocardial infarction (MI). BACKGROUND: Snuff and other forms of smokeless tobacco are widely used in some populations. Possible health hazards associated with the use of smokeless tobacco remain controversial. METHODS: In a population-based study within the framework of the Northern Sweden center of the World Health Organization Multinational Monitoring of Trend and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease (WHO MONICA) Project, tobacco habits were compared in 25- to 64-year-old men with first-time fatal or nonfatal MI and referent subjects matched for age and place of living (687 cases, 687 referents). RESULTS: The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) for MI in regular cigarette smokers as compared with men who never used tobacco was 3.65 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.67 to 4.99). When nonsmoking regular snuff dippers were compared with never-users of tobacco, the unadjusted OR was 0.96 (0.65 to 1.41). After adjustment for multiple cardiovascular risk factors, the OR was 3.53 (95% CI 2.48 to 5.03) for regular smoking and 0.58 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.94) for regular snuff dipping. Restricting the analyses to fatal cases of myocardial (including sudden death) showed a tendency towards increased risk among snuff dippers 1.50 (95% CI 0.45 to 5.03). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of MI is not increased in snuff dippers. Nicotine is probably not an important contributor to ischemic heart disease in smokers. A possible small or modest detrimental effect of snuff dipping on the risk for sudden death could not be excluded in this study due to a limited number of fatal cases. (+info)
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of moist snuff in humans.
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INTERVENTION: Four brands of moist snuff and a non-tobacco mint snuff were tested. Subjects reported to the laboratory for five experimental sessions. After baseline measurement of dependent variables, each subject placed 2 g of one of the brands of snuff (or one Skoal Bandits pouch) between the cheek and gum for 30 minutes. The subjects remained in the experimental laboratory for an additional 60 minutes. SUBJECTS: Ten volunteers who were daily users of smokeless tobacco. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma nicotine concentration, cardiovascular effects, and subjective effects. RESULTS: Large amounts of nicotine were delivered rapidly to the bloodstream. The amount of nicotine absorbed and the rate of absorption were related to the pH of the snuff product in aqueous suspension. Cardiovascular and subjective effects were related to the amount of nicotine absorbed. CONCLUSIONS: Snuff products are capable of rapidly delivering high doses of nicotine, which can lead to dependence. Long-term use of snuff can lead to a number of adverse health effects including oral cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and gingival diseases. For these reasons, it is important that the public health community considers oral snuff use as a burden on public health in the same way that cigarette smoking is recognised. (+info)
Smokeless tobacco in Canada: deterring market development.
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DATA SOURCES: A review of the literature identified demographic, cultural, and marketing variables related to the uptake and continuation of smokeless tobacco use. Government and industry data on production, marketing, and consumption of smokeless tobacco products are presented. METHODS: The Canadian and American markets are compared in terms of prevalence, consumption per capita, and marketing practices. Lessons to be learned from the well-orchestrated development of the American market in the past 30 years are examined. Canadian tobacco regulations are described. Strategies by which the increased exploitation of the Canadian smokeless tobacco market can be deterred are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: A long-term, independently financed strategy built around a national smokeless tobacco de-marketing organisation with a constellation of private local institutions is suggested as a means of combating smokeless tobacco marketing efforts. (+info)