Among other side effects, smoking does cause blood vessels to constrict. This can lead to sometimes life-threatening events like a heart attack or stroke. Smoking is linked to a wide range of negative health effects, including heart disease. The chemicals in cigarette smoke irritate blood vessels, causing inflammation and swelling. Quitting smoking allows your heart…
Those who smoke are much more likely to develop symptoms of COPD, but secondhand smoke can also be the cause. Treatments are available; in some cases, your lung tissue can regenerate. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a group of diseases that impact the health of your lungs and your ability to breathe….
National study shows cancer centers help patients stop smoking A nationwide team studied 44,000 smokers at 28 cancer centers. The researchers learned that if they could get those patients into evidence-based therapy — such as nicotine replacement, counseling, or both — they could help nearly one in five kick the habit and, in doing so,…
A new report states that teens in the United States are smoking and drinking less as well as using fewer drugs. However, it also reports that teens are vaping more and using cannabis more often. Experts say social engagement and structured activities such as sports and music programs can be strong predictors of teen substance…
Studies have shown that women have a harder time quitting smoking than men do. New research indicates that nicotine blocks the production of estrogen in women’s brains, which could explain why it’s more difficult for them to quit. While more research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms, the findings suggest that nicotine may…
If you’ve ever tried to quit vaping, then you know how challenging it can be. Although research published in July 2022 in JAMA Network Open found a slight decrease in the overall e-cigarette, or vaping, users, daily e-cigarette use by current users rose from 34.5% in 2017 to 44.4% in 2020. The daily usage is likely linked…
The cigarette is the only legal consumer product that—when used as intended—causes the premature death of half of the long-term users. To address this long-standing health threat, in late June 2022, the Biden-Harris administration announced a plan to move forward with a new standard for cigarettes and other combusted tobacco products that would make them minimally or…
A new trend is emerging in the vaping world, one that promises big health benefits. Known as “wellness vapes”, they contain vitamins or other supplements instead of nicotine and tout claims of boosted energy, increased immunity and a better night’s sleep. Wellness vapes or “nutritional supplement diffusers” – which allow users to inhale ingredients such…