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Prior research indicates bisexual individuals have higher smoking and vaping rates and heightened vulnerability to negative health outcomes. Thus, we compared adult bisexual (n = 294) and heterosexual (n = 2412) participants enrolled in a smoking cessation trial on baseline smoking and vaping use behaviors, motivations, and expectancies/beliefs as well as follow-up smoking and vaping status. This is a secondary analysis of a large randomized controlled trial testing a smoking cessation intervention for dual users of combustible and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) in the United States. Self-reported 7-day point prevalence smoking and vaping abstinence were collected at 3-, 12-, and 24-month assessments. Bisexual and heterosexual participants did not differ in sociodemographic variables or baseline smoking and vaping history and behavior. We found significant differences among bisexual and heterosexual individuals in smoking and vaping beliefs/expectancies. Specifically, bisexual participants expressed overall greater positive expectancies regarding smoking and vaping, such as smoking and vaping to reduce negative affect and stress. There were no differences in smoking at any follow-up assessment. Only at 3 months were bisexual individuals more likely to be abstinent from vaping and less likely to be dual users than heterosexual individuals. Despite similar smoking and vaping status over time, bisexual individuals reported greater positive expectancies regarding smoking and vaping. Our findings revealed few targets for tailoring cessation interventions to bisexual individuals; thus, it is possible that there may be greater utility in targeting the disparities in prevalence (i.e., via prevention efforts). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmented reality (AR) is a rapidly developing technology that has substantial potential as a novel approach for addiction treatment, including tobacco use. AR can facilitate the delivery of cue exposure therapy (CET) such that individuals can experience the treatment in their natural environments as viewed via a smartphone screen, addressing the limited generalizbility of extinction learning. Previously, our team developed a basic AR app for smoking cessation and demonstrated the necessary mechanisms for CET. Specifically, we showed that the AR smoking cues, compared to neutral cues, elicited substantial cue reactivity (i.e. increased urge) and that repeated exposure to the AR smoking cues reduced urge (i.e. extinction) in a laboratory setting. Here we report the next step in the systematic development of the AR app, in which we assessed the usability and acceptability of the app among daily smokers in their natural environments. Daily smokers (N = 23, 78.3% female, Mean Age = 43.4, Mean Cigarettes/Day = 14.9), not actively quitting, were instructed to use the AR app in locations and situations where they smoke (e.g. home, bar) at least 5 times per day over one week. The study is registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04101422). Results indicated high usability and acceptability. Most of the participants (73.9%) used the AR app on at least 5 days. Participants found the AR cues realistic and well-integrated in their natural environments. The AR app was perceived as easy to use (Mean = 4.1/5) and learn (mean of 2 days to learn). Overall satisfaction with the app was also high. Secondary analyses found that 56.5% reported reduced smoking, with an average 26% reduction in cigarettes per day at follow-up. These findings set the stage for a randomized controlled trial testing the AR app as an adjuvant therapy for treating tobacco dependence, with potential applicability to other substances. This study found that the augmented reality (AR) smartphone application that utlized cue exposure treatment for smoking cessation was perceived as easy to use and learn in the natural, day-to-day environment of daily smokers. Findings set the stage for a larger clinical trial testing the AR app as an adjuvant therapy for treating tobacco dependence, with potential applicability to other addictive behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hispanic/Latinx smokers in the United States are often treated as a homogeneous group. However, population-based studies suggest that cigarette use differs among Hispanic/Latinx subgroups by sociodemographic or sociocultural characteristics. This secondary analysis aimed to advance the limited literature by examining differences in smoking-related variables.Aims and Methods: We used baseline data from a randomized controlled trial testing a self-help Spanish-language smoking cessation intervention. Puerto Rican (PR), Mexican, and Cuban, the three largest Hispanic/Latinx subgroups in the sample (N = 1028), were first compared on sociodemographic and sociocultural variables (acculturation and familism). Primary analyses assessed subgroup differences in cigarette use variables (eg, cigarettes per day [CPD], nicotine dependence [Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence], and daily smoking) and smoking-related cognitive constructs (motivation to quit, smoking outcome expectancies, and abstinence self-efficacy) controlling for sociodemographic and sociocultural variables. Additional analyses explored differences between men and women within subgroups.Results: Mexicans exhibited the lowest levels of daily smoking (90% vs. 95% Cubans and 96% PR; p = .001), CPD (M = 13.5, SD = 9.5 vs. M = 20.1, SD = 9.9 Cubans and M = 16.7, SD = 10.1 PR; p = .016), and nicotine dependence (M = 4.2, SD = 2.3 vs. M = 6.0, SD = 2.1 Cubans and M = 5.7, SD = 2.2 PR; p < .001), with no differences between PRs and Cubans. Within-subgroup comparisons between men and women showed the most differences among PRs (eg, men were more nicotine dependent [M = 6.0, SD = 1.9] than women [M = 5.4, SD = 2.3; p = .041]) and Cubans (eg, men smoked more CPD [M = 22.2, SD = 12.2] than women [M = 19.3, SD = 12.0; p = .042]), and the fewest among Mexicans.Conclusions: Findings support heterogeneity within Hispanic/Latinx smokers and highlight the potential utility of examining sociodemographic, sociocultural, and smoking characteristics important for developing salient cessation interventions.Implications: Findings demonstrate that treatment-seeking Hispanic/Latinx smokers in the United States differ in sociodemographic, sociocultural, and smoking-related variables (cigarette use and smoking-related cognitive constructs) by subgroup (ie, PR, Mexican, and Cuban) and within subgroups by sex. These differences suggest that heterogeneity among subgroups should be considered when developing cessation interventions for Hispanics/Latinxs. Future research should examine how differences in sociodemographic and smoking-related variables impact intervention outcomes and explore the role of sociocultural factors (eg, acculturation and familism) as determinants of cessation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To identify subpopulations of dual users of combustible and electronic cigarettes using current smoking and vaping behaviors. Design: Secondary analysis of baseline data from a randomized controlled trial testing a smoking cessation intervention for dual users. Finite mixture modeling of frequency, quantity, and dependence on combustible and electronic cigarettes was used to identify classes. Demographics and additional smoking and vaping variables were used to further characterize the classes. Setting: United States. Participants: A total of 2896 adults who smoked weekly for the past year and vaped weekly for the past month. Measurements Self‐report baseline measures assessed demographics and smoking and vaping behaviors and characteristics including days of use per week, frequency of use within a day, time to first use after waking, urges to smoke, smoking cessation motivation, self‐efficacy to abstain from smoking, months since vaping initiation, reasons for initiating and maintaining vaping, and future plans to stop vaping. Findings Eight probabilistic classes were identified and well‐defined (relative entropy = 0.95, Lo–Mendell–Rubin adjusted likelihood ratio test P < 0.0001; class probabilities 0.89–0.97). In general, classes crossed two levels of smoking with four levels of vaping. The largest class (31%) had relatively high levels of smoking (72% daily, 56% 11+ cigarettes per day [CPD], 96% within 30 minutes of waking) and vaping (74% daily, 100% 20+ electronic‐CPD, 74% <30 minutes). The next largest class (27%) had relatively high levels of vaping (93% daily, 100% 20+ electronic‐CPD, 82% <30 minutes) and very low levels of smoking (28% daily, 12% 11+ CPD, 0% <30 minutes). The six smaller classes (3%–13%) also had distinct smoking and vaping behaviors. All eight classes exhibited distinguishing characteristics beyond current smoking and vaping behaviors. Conclusions: Dual users of combustible and electronic cigarettes are not a homogeneous population, having eight well‐defined prospective subpopulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Caregivers of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) cancer patients experience high caregiver burden and carry a significant amount of responsibility. Mindfulness has the potential to lessen caregiver burden by aiding in stress management. To date, no studies have examined the efficacy of mindfulness in reducing caregiver burden in this population. Based on our pilot study demonstrating initial feasibility and acceptability of FOCUS (Focusing On mindfulness for Caregivers Under Stress), this 3-arm randomized controlled trial aims to examine the efficacy of a 6-week mindfulness-based stress management program for allogeneic HCT caregivers. Hypotheses include that the FOCUS condition will have lower post-treatment caregiver burden and that patients of these caregivers will have better patient health outcomes compared to other treatment conditions. Method: Eligible caregivers will be randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions: FOCUS, Healthy Living (HL; active control), and Enhanced Care (EC; usual care). Caregivers in FOCUS and HL will participate in 6-week weekly individual treatment sessions and will be sent brief daily momentary interventions/messages. Caregivers in all conditions will complete daily diaries over the course of treatment. Patients of enrolled caregivers will be enrolled for assessments only. Participants will complete assessments at baseline, end of treatment, 2- and 6-months post-treatment. Biomarker data will be collected via hair cortisol concentrations from caregivers at baseline and 6 months post-treatment. Results: Recruitment is ongoing. Conclusions: The data collected from this study will provide evidence on the efficacy of mindfulness in alleviating HCT caregiver stress and impacting patient health outcomes. Trial registration: The current study is registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05078229); see https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05078229?term=christine+vinci&draw=2&rank=1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hispanic/Latinx smokers living in the United States face unique challenges in quitting smoking. This study evaluated the efficacy of a culturally relevant, Spanish‐language, extended self‐help smoking cessation intervention among Hispanic smokers. Methods: A 2‐arm parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted with Hispanic/Latinx smokers living in the United States who preferred health information in Spanish and smoked 5 or more cigarettes per week. Participants were randomly allocated to receive Libre del Cigarrillo (LDC), which consisted of 11 booklets and 9 pamphlets mailed monthly over 18 months, or the usual care (UC), which was a single Spanish‐language self‐help booklet from the National Cancer Institute. The primary outcome was self‐reported 7‐day point prevalence smoking abstinence assessed 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after the baseline. Eight prespecified moderators of the intervention were evaluated. Cost‐effectiveness was also evaluated. All statistical tests were 2‐sided. Results: Data from all participants randomized to LDC (n = 714) or UC (n = 703) were used for analyses after multiple imputation to manage missing data. Generalized estimating equation analyses indicated that LDC abstinence rates were higher (P <.001) across all assessments. Logistic regression analyses revealed that at 24 months, the abstinence rate was greater for LDC (33.1%) than UC (24.3%; odds ratio, 1.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.18‐2.02; P =.002). Men exhibited a strong intervention effect at all assessments (P values <.001), whereas the intervention effect for women was observed only at 6 and 12 months (P values <.018). In comparison with UC, the incremental cost per quitter in the LDC arm was $648.43 at 18 months and $683.93 at 24 months. Conclusions: A culturally relevant, Spanish‐language intervention was efficacious and cost‐effective for smoking cessation. Lay Summary: Research is needed to develop interventions for ethnic minority smokers.The aim of the current study was to test a Spanish‐language adaptation of a validated and easily implemented self‐help smoking cessation intervention in a nationwide randomized controlled trial.The findings demonstrated that the intervention produced greater smoking abstinence in comparison with a standard self‐help booklet.Participants also were more satisfied with the intervention, and it was cost‐effective.Efforts aimed at promoting tobacco abstinence in this underserved population could have significant public health implications, including potential reductions in cancer health disparities associated with tobacco smoking. This large, nationwide randomized controlled trial demonstrates that a culturally relevant, Spanish‐language, extended self‐help intervention is efficacious and cost‐effective for smoking cessation, and it supports the tailoring of interventions to Hispanics by identifying and integrating cultural values. The evaluated intervention approach has potential for broad dissemination and reach to reduce cigarette smoking and has implications for cancer prevention because smoking is the primary risk factor for lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic men and is second only to breast cancer among Hispanic women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cue exposure for extinguishing conditioned urges to smoking cues has been promising in the laboratory, but difficult to implement in natural environments. The recent availability of augmented reality (AR) via smartphone provides an opportunity to overcome this limitation. Testing the ability of AR to elicit cue-provoked urges to smoke (ie, cue reactivity [CR]) is the first step to systemically testing the efficacy of AR for cue exposure therapy.Objectives: To test CR to smoking-related AR cues compared to neutral AR cues, and compared to in vivo cues.Methods: A 2 × 2 within-subject design comparing cue content (smoking vs. neutral) and presentation modality (AR vs. in vivo) on urge response. Seventeen smokers viewed six smoking-related and six neutral cues via AR smartphone app and also six smoking and six neutral in vivo cues. Participants rated their urge to smoke and reality/co-existence of the cue.Results: Average urge to smoke was higher following smoking-related AR images (Median = 7.50) than neutral images (Median = 3.33) (Z = -3.44; p = .001; d = 1.37). Similarly, average urge ratings for in vivo smoking-related cues (Median = 8.12) were higher than for neutral cues (Median = 2.12) (Z = -3.44; p = .001; d = 1.64). Also, greater CR was observed for in vivo cues than for AR cues (Z = -2.67, p = .008; d = .36). AR cues were generally perceived as being realistic and well-integrated.Conclusions: CR was demonstrated with very large effect sizes in response to AR smoking cues, although slightly smaller than with in vivo smoking cues. This satisfies the first criterion for the potential use of AR for exposure therapy.Implications: This study introduces AR as a novel modality for presenting smoking-related stimuli to provoke cue reactivity, and ultimately to conduct extinction-based therapy. AR cues presented via a smartphone have the advantage over other modes of cue presentation (pictures, virtual reality, in vivo, etc.) of being easily transportable, affordable, and realistic, and they can be inserted in a smokers' natural environment rather than being limited to laboratory and clinic settings. These AR features may overcome the generalizability barriers of other methods, thus increasing clinical utility for cue exposure therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study investigated a) racial/ethnic differences in past-year discrimination experiences and b) associations between discrimination and smoking abstinence.Design: Prospective, longitudinal analysis of smoking status. Perceived past-year discrimination was assessed at baseline. ANCOVAs and intent-to-treat hierarchical logistic regressions were conducted.Setting: Dual-site (Tampa, FL and Miami, FL) randomized controlled trial testing the effects of a group cessation intervention plus pharmacotherapy.Participants: Treatment-seeking adult smokers (N=347; non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic African American/Black, or Hispanic).Main Outcome Measures: Biochemically verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence (7-day ppa) was assessed immediately post-intervention and at 6-month follow-up.Results: After controlling for covariates, African Americans/Blacks reported greater perceived discrimination compared with non-Hispanic Whites (P=.02), and Hispanics (P=.06). Non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics did not differ in perceived racial/ethnic discrimination experiences over the past year. Irrespective of race/ethnicity, past-year perceived discrimination was inversely associated with 7-day ppa, both post-intervention (AOR=.97, CI: .95-.99) and at 6-months (AOR=.98, CI: .96-.99). Among African Americans/Blacks, past-year perceived discrimination was inversely associated with 7-day ppa, both post-intervention (AOR=.95, CI: .92-.97) and at 6-months (AOR=.97, CI: .94-.99). Perceived discrimination was unrelated to 7-day ppa among Hispanics. Among non-Hispanic Whites, past-year perceived discrimination was inversely associated with post-intervention 7-day ppa (AOR=.95, CI: .91-.99), but not 6-months.Conclusions: Perceived racial/ethnic discrimination was greater among African American/Black smokers compared with non-Hispanic Whites. Perceived discrimination was negatively associated with tobacco cessation in the full sample, and for African Americans at 6-months post-intervention. These data have implications for intervention delivery and health disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although some smokers switch to exclusive use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), others become dual users of combustible cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Little is known about how the onset of vaping affects the use of and dependence on combustible cigarettes or total nicotine use and dependence, which may influence health-related and cessation outcomes. Using self-report data of current combustible and e-cigarette use and retrospective recall of pre-vaping smoking in a sample of dual users, the aims of this study were (1) to compare pre- and post-vaping number of cigarettes per day and combustible cigarette dependence; (2) to compare pre- and post-vaping total nicotine use frequency (number of vaping sessions and cigarettes smoked per day), and total nicotine dependence; and (3) to examine predictors of nicotine dependence.Methods: We used baseline data from a smoking cessation trial with 2896 dual users. Nicotine use frequency and the Heaviness of Smoking Index were used as measures of nicotine use and dependence, respectively.Results: Participants decreased cigarettes/day from pre- (M = 19.24, SD = 9.01) to post-vaping (M = 11.15, SD = 8.02, p < .0001) and combustible cigarette dependence declined from pre- (M = 3.55, SD = 1.51) to post-vaping (M = 2.11, SD = 1.60, p < .0001). Total daily nicotine use frequency increased after initiating vaping (M = 19.25, SD = 9.01 vs. M = 29.46, SD = 8.61; p < .0001), as did total nicotine dependence (M = 3.55, SD = 1.51 vs. M = 4.68, SD = 1.38; p < .0001). Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that variables associated with greater overall nicotine dependence included: younger age, lower education, more years smoking, higher pre-vaping nicotine dependence, using e-cigarettes more days per month, more puffs per vaping session, higher e-liquid nicotine concentration, and longer vaping history.Conclusions: Dual use leads to a reduction in the number of combustible cigarettes, but total nicotine use and dependence increases.Implications: In dual users, a reduction in smoking following onset of vaping may offer some harm reduction via reduction in cigarette intake. However, the increase in total nicotine use and dependence could affect the ability to quit either or both products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Smoking cessation improves quality of life (QOL) in the general population. However, there is limited information on the role of smoking status on QOL among cancer patients. Moreover, previous studies tended to analyze smoking status dichotomously and at a single point in time, potentially reducing the strength of the relation between smoking cessation and QOL. This study examined the association of smoking abstinence and QOL over time, including depression, pain, and fatigue in patients with a wide variety of cancers.Methods: Participants were 332 cancer patients (eg, gynecologic, breast, thoracic, head and neck, and genitourinary) who had been abstinent for at least 24 hours. Days abstinent and QOL were assessed at baseline and 2, 6, and 12 months later. Latent growth curve models examined if days abstinent was associated with QOL at each assessment. Baseline demographics (eg, sex and income) and smoking history variables (eg, nicotine dependence) were used as time-invariant covariates.Results: The final model for each QOL component had good-to-excellent fit. More days abstinent was associated with lower depression at all follow-ups and with lower fatigue at 12 months but was not associated with pain.Conclusions: QOL was better among patients who quit smoking for longer periods. Findings suggest different timelines, with smoking abstinence most immediately associated with lower depression, followed by lower fatigue. Although pain decreased over time, it was not associated with length of smoking abstinence. Results reinforce the relationship between sustained smoking cessation and QOL, which should be communicated to patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Most e‐cigarette users who also smoke combustible cigarettes (dual users) begin vaping to quit smoking, yet only a subset succeeds. We hypothesized that reinforcing characteristics of e‐cigarettes (vaping reinforcement) would positively predict smoking cessation propensity (SCP) among dual users. Design Secondary analysis of cross‐sectional baseline data from dual users in an ongoing smoking cessation trial. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA and CFA) created latent variables for vaping reinforcement and SCP. A structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was used to test the hypothesis. Setting: United States. Participants: A national sample of dual users of combustible and electronic cigarettes who smoke and vape at least once per week (n = 2896) were enrolled (63% male; mean age = 29.9 years) into a randomized controlled trial in which they would receive either smoking cessation materials or no smoking cessation materials. Measurements Vaping reinforcement was indexed by vaping frequency (days/week vaping, times/day vaping, puffs/e‐cigarette use), e‐cigarette characteristics [numbers of modifications and tobacco or non‐tobacco flavors, nicotine content (mg) and positive e‐cigarette expectancies]. SCP was measured by items of confidence, commitment to being smoke‐free, cessation motivation (contemplation ladder), change in cigarettes per day since beginning e‐cigarette use and negative smoking expectancies. Findings Four factors emerged from the EFA: vaping propensity (vaping frequency, positive expectancies), vaping enthusiasm (e‐cigarette modifications, using non‐tobacco flavors, puffs per use), nicotine/tobacco flavor (nicotine strength, tobacco flavors) and SCP (negative expectancies about smoking, motivation to quit smoking, reduction in smoking). A CFA upheld the exploratory factor structure [root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.046, CFI = 0.91]. An SEM with the three vaping latent variables directly predicting SCP had good model fit (RMSEA = 0.030, CFI = 0.97) with a positive relationship of vaping propensity (0.509, P < 0.001), and small negative relationships of vaping enthusiasm (−0.158, P = 0.014) and nicotine/tobacco flavor (−0.230, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Among e‐cigarette users who also smoke combustible cigarettes, frequent vaping combined with positive e‐cigarette expectancies appears to predict greater smoking cessation propensity. However, vaping enthusiasm (measured by e‐cigarette modifications, using non‐tobacco flavors and puffs per use), higher nicotine content and use of tobacco flavored solution may reduce cessation propensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The exclusion criteria of tobacco cessation randomized clinical trials (RCTs) may have unintended consequences on inclusion and cessation disparities. We examined racial/ethnic differences in: a) exclusion from a group-based cessation RCT; and b) reasons for exclusion.Design: Quasi-experimental. Inclusion criteria were self-identification as African American/Black, non-Hispanic White, or Hispanic (any race), adults, minimum five cigarettes/day or carbon monoxide reading of ≥ 8 parts per million (ppm), interest in quitting, and spoke/read English. Data were obtained from a parent trial, which is ongoing and will be completed in 2019. Analyses for our present study on participant screening and enrollment were conducted in 2018.Main Outcome Measures: Study ineligibility, and reasons for exclusion (contraindications for nicotine patch use, serious mental illness [SMI, eg, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia], alcohol dependence or illicit drug use, current tobacco treatment, attendance barriers [eg, transportation], and other concerns [eg, aggressive, intoxicated, disruptive, visibly ill]).Results: Of 1,206 individuals screened, 36% were ineligible. The most frequent reasons were SMI (28%), alcohol dependence or drug use (10%), and attendance barriers (7%). Ineligibility was greater among African Americans (42%) and Hispanics (37%), compared with Whites (24%; P<.001). Compared with African Americans and Hispanics, Whites were more likely to be excluded for single reasons, including attendance barriers, and medical conditions (P<.05). African Americans were more than twice as likely as Whites to be excluded for 3 or more reasons (12% vs 5% respectively, P<.05).Conclusions: A notable proportion of smokers were ineligible for this RCT, with SMI as the greatest single cause. Racial/ethnic minorities were more likely to be excluded, with African Americans deemed ineligible for multiple reasons. Findings have implications for RCT generalizability, addressing tobacco disparities and health equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Varenicline reduces smoking satisfaction during the pre-cessation run-in period, which may contribute to extinction of cravings and smoking behavior. Research indicates that efficacy is enhanced when the run-in period is increased from 1 to 4 weeks, providing a longer extinction opportunity. We hypothesized that efficacy could be further enhanced by harnessing basic and applied research on extinction. We developed a pre-cessation extinction-facilitating intervention and tested its feasibility in a pilot trial.Methods: The facilitated extinction (FE) intervention comprised brief counseling and workbook-recommending strategies to maximize extinction processes during the run-in, including instructions to smoke at a normal rate across contexts and cues, and use of an extinction cue to enhance generalization. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three varenicline interventions: standard (1-week run-in), extended (4-week run-in), and extended + FE. Interventions were delivered prior to the target quit date (TQD). Assessments were conducted in weeks 1 and 4 pre-TQD and 1 and 3 months post-TQD, with focus on feasibility indices.Results: Recruitment and retention goals were met (N = 58). Treatment satisfaction was high across groups. The majority of FE participants adhered to instructions and maintained their usual smoking rate during the run-in period. Greater decreases in craving and smoking satisfaction were observed among participants in both extended groups versus the standard group (p < .005).Conclusions: Feasibility was demonstrated. Participants adhered to the FE intervention, thereby optimizing the number and variety of extinction trials. Findings support testing the novel FE smoking cessation intervention in a fully powered trial.Implications: This study expands the research on the clinical benefits of extending the pre-cessation run-in period of varenicline. It introduces the hypothesis that further benefit might be achieved by translating basic behavioral research, as well as cue-exposure research and therapy for other disorders, to improve the extinction and generalization processes thought to underlie much of varenicline's effect. A FE intervention was developed and found acceptable to smokers and feasible to implement in a research setting. The study sets the stage for a subsequent randomized controlled trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Smoking tobacco cigarettes after a cancer diagnosis increases risk for several serious adverse outcomes. Thus, patients can significantly benefit from quitting smoking. Electronic cigarettes are an increasingly popular cessation method. Providers routinely ask about combustible cigarette use, yet little is known about use and communication surrounding e-cigarettes among patients with cancer. This study aims to describe patterns, beliefs, and communication with oncology providers about e-cigarette use of patients with cancer.Methods: Patients with cancer (N = 121) who currently used e-cigarettes were surveyed in a cross-sectional study about their patterns and reasons for use, beliefs, and perceptions of risk for e-cigarettes, combustible cigarettes, and nicotine replacement therapies. Patient perspectives on provider communication regarding e-cigarettes were also assessed.Results: Most participants identified smoking cessation as the reason for initiating (81%) and continuing (60%) e-cigarette use. However, 51% of patients reported current dual use of combustible cigarettes and e-cigarettes, and most patients reported never having discussed their use of e-cigarettes with their oncology provider (72%). Patients characterized e-cigarettes as less addictive, less expensive, less stigmatizing, and less likely to impact cancer treatment than combustible cigarettes (Ps < .05), and more satisfying, more useful for quitting smoking, and more effective at reducing cancer-related stress than nicotine replacement therapies (Ps < .05).Conclusions: Patients with cancer who use e-cigarettes have positive attitudes toward these devices and use them to aid in smoking cessation. This study also highlights the need for improved patient-provider communication on the safety and efficacy of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smoking-related illnesses are the leading causes of death among Hispanics/Latinos. Yet, there are few smoking cessation interventions targeted for this population. The goal of this study was to "transcreate" an existing, previously validated, English language self-help smoking cessation intervention, titled Forever Free®: Stop Smoking for Good, for Spanish-speaking smokers. Rather than simply translating the materials, our transcreation process involved culturally adapting the intervention to enhance acceptability and receptivity of the information. We utilized a multiphase qualitative approach (focus groups and learner verification interviews) to develop a linguistically and culturally relevant intervention for the diverse sub-ethnic groups of Hispanic/Latino smokers. Focus group findings indicated a need to underscore several additional cultural characteristics and themes such as the need to address familism and unique stressors faced by immigrants and to provide information regarding nicotine replacement therapy. Learner verification findings indicated a need to further emphasize financial and social benefits of quitting smoking and to discuss how family and friends can support the quit attempt. These steps led to the development of a Spanish-language smoking cessation intervention titled, Libre del cigarillo, por mi familia y por mí: Guía para dejar de fumar, that is currently being tested in a national randomized controlled trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oxygen scavenging capacity of four commercially available iron-based oxygen scavengers was studied. Individual oxygen scavenger sachets were placed in pouches and filled with 1%, 2%, 6%, 12% or 22% oxygen, 40% carbon dioxide and balance nitrogen, and stored at 3 °C or 10 °C, with or without a drip pad infused with water and monitored over 24 h. The four scavengers all reduced oxygen from the packs at the oxygen concentrations and temperatures tested. However, for all of the conditions measured, the scavengers did not absorb their nominal capacity in the 24-h period. In anoxic modified atmosphere packaging of beef steaks, it is essential to reduce residual oxygen levels to below 0.05% as quickly as possible to minimise the formation of metmyoglobin. While the scavengers tested were effective in removing oxygen, the rate of removal would appear not to be fast enough to create the anoxic conditions required to prevent metmyoglobin formation in beef steaks, particularly in those cuts, which are highly susceptible to metmyoglobin formation. Reproducibility was also a critical issue for the scavengers, particularly at low oxygen concentrations. None of the scavengers had a coefficient of variation of less than 20% at the low oxygen concentrations. Therefore, to obtain consistent results, it is recommended that multiple scavengers be used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports that the apparent heritability of tobacco smoking and the identification of candidate genes that might contribute to this heritability. Although the genetic contributions to smoking behavior hold significant explanatory potential, sometimes lost in the excitement is that scientists have yet to reach a satisfactory understanding of the environmental contributors to this behavior. Thus, it is particularly encouraging when a behavioral genetic design is used to isolate environmental effects by controlling for genetic effects. This strategy has been underused in general, and particularly so within the tobacco literature. Yet the power of the design allowed researchers to demonstrate that the nature of sibling relationships is associated with the transmission of smoking between the siblings. Expectancies are the memory templates of the reinforcing value of a substance that can influence substance use. They are predictive of all phases of substance onset, maintenance and cessation, and they may serve as the final common pathway of multiple determinants of substance use and abuse. Thus, expectancies about the immediate and delayed, positive and negative consequences of smoking are natural candidates for investigation as the units of transmission between siblings.

This study investigated the influence of practice effects, regression toward the mean, teachers' expectations, and warm-up procedures on the Revised Conners Teacher Rating Scale. Sixty elementary school teachers viewed videotapes of 3 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disordered children on two or three occasions. The teachers rated each child on the Revised Conners directly after watching that child's videotaped classroom observation. The teachers were divided randomly into three groups: expectation, control, and warm-up.The data were analyzed by a “doubly” repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Results indicated that practice effects, regression, teachers' expectations, and warm-up procedures did not play a significant role in influencing teachers' repeated ratings of the 3 children. There were significant effects for the order of presentation of the children on the tapes at the time of the first rating. On the whole, findings lend support for the validity of the Revised Conners. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]