Vaping could nearly triple the chance of smoking in teens

A new study offers strong evidence that kids who use e-cigarettes are more likely to take up smoking or smokeless tobacco, researchers say. Teen boys who vaped were almost three times as likely to start smoking as other teen boys with similar risk profiles and more than two times as likely to try smokeless tobacco, the study from The Ohio State University found. [...] Unlike most previous research suggesting a link between vaping and tobacco, this study didn't simply follow young people over time to make a connection between the two behaviors. [...]

2020-12-17
eurekalert.org

Scientists develop new vaccine to counter the effects of synthetic cannabinoids

Made in clandestine laboratories and sold widely across the United States, the diverse class of drugs known as synthetic cannabinoids presents a growing public health threat. In a new study, Scripps Research scientists have devised a way to deactivate these designer drugs after they've been administered--offering a potential path for treating addiction and overdose. Synthetic cannabinoids are much more powerful and toxic than users often realize, and their rising prevalence has led to serious health issues among young people and adults. We found a way to negate the dangerous effects of these drugs, [...]

2020-12-17
news-medical.net

Call for more training on smoking cessation for mental health nurses

A report published [...] by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has called for a national plan to implement training on smoking for mental health staff, including nurses and psychiatrists. The call comes in response to concerns reported by staff who felt they were ill-equipped to support their patients. The charity said its report highlighted that the current training of mental health nurses and psychiatrists to help their patients to quit smoking was “woefully inadequate”.

2020-12-17
nursingtimes.net

Commentary: How to build on teens’ reduced vaping

A study was released recently with some great news about vaping and adolescents: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many adolescents who were vaping have quit. In their sample of e-cigarette-using teens, 36.5 percent reported quitting altogether and 30.8 percent had reduced their nicotine use. As pediatricians, advocates for healthy youth and parents of teens, in a year of what seems like one item of bad news after another, this news gave us some relief.

2020-12-17
expressnews.com

Why Nicotine Pouches are Popular in Australia

If you'd like to quit smoking, you should consider using some nicotine pouches. They provide you with a healthier and happier direction in life. Quitting smoking can be tough; however, using nicotine pouches can help reduce the harmful effects of smoking. These pouches have nicotine to provide a better experience. The discreet nicotine pouches provide nicotine consumers and adult smokers with a convenient, exciting, and less risky way to consume nicotine. They provide you with a better way of using nicotine without having to discolor your teeth. The nicotine within the pouch is obtained from the Nicotiana tabacum plant.

2020-12-17
ibtimes.com.au

Legal Weed Is Coming to New Jersey — But How Will That Work?

Election Day marked a turning point in the United State’s war on drugs, as Oregon decriminalized possession of drugs, Mississippi approved medical marijuana, and New Jersey passed its Question 1 proposed constitutional amendment legalizing cannabis. As the year draws to a close, however, just what needs to be done to make weed legal in the Garden State?

2020-12-17
rollingstone.com