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Harm Reduction
Safe driving: Cannabis intoxication not reliably measured by field tests, THC levels
United States researchers investigated how marijuana affects safe driving skills and found that biofluid levels of THC did not correlate with field sobriety test...
The six best apps to help recovery from alcohol addiction
A medically reviewed Insider article that draws on three addiction experts describes six of the best apps dedicated to helping people who are recovering...
Did COVID-19 stress and uncertainty stall anti-smoking push?
A year after COVID-19 upended life for millions of Americans, there are troubling signs that the coronavirus may have also slowed progress against another...
Stricter tobacco controls in Europe could avert 1.65m lung cancer cases in 20 years
More stringent tobacco control policies in Europe could result in 1.65 million fewer lung cancer cases over 20 years, according to an international population-based...
Restricting alcohol ads for SA public health – A justifiable rights infringement?
Introducing regulation to reduce alcohol-related harm in South Africa is fully consistent with human rights protection, particularly for children, write Adam Bertscher of the...
SAMRC to implement South Africa’s First Global Tobacco Adult Survey
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) will soon implement the Global Adult Tobacco Survey – a first for South Africa.
The Global Adult Tobacco...
'Misguided' push to outlaw vaping in developing nations
In nations where vaping is endorsed by health authorities, such as the United Kingdom, there have been real reductions in smoking. Elsewhere, billionaire Michael...
Daily e-cigarette use shows 'clear benefit' in helping smokers to quit – UK study
A study from King’s College London, published in the journal Addiction, highlights the “clear benefit” of using e-cigarettes daily in order to quit smoking....
Tens of millions of smokers have switched to less risky nicotine products
Research provides evidence that large numbers of smokers are switching to devices that deliver nicotine from tobacco through heat – rather than burn –...
Emergency attendance for COPD dropped during SA lockdown, tobacco ban
While the tobacco sales ban had detrimental effects on the economy in South Africa in 2020, research shows that one benefit was a sharp...
US advises CT scans for younger and lighter smokers in drive against lung cancer
New guidelines from medical experts will nearly double the number of people in the United States who are advised to have yearly CT scans...
Vaping cannabis tied to more lung damage symptoms than cigarettes, nicotine
Adolescents who vape cannabis are at greater risk of respiratory symptoms indicative of lung injury than teens who smoke cigarettes or marijuana, or vape...
WHO versus Public Health England over e-cigarettes
Controversy over the World Health Organization’s publication in January of negative information on e-cigarettes, has been followed by a new Public Health England report...
Cannabis tied to rebound headaches in chronic migraine patients – Stanford study
Migraine patients who used cannabis were more likely to develop ‘rebound’ or medication overuse headaches than those who did not use cannabis, a single-centre...
Drinking, smoking, drug use linked to premature heart disease in the young
Recreational drinking, smoking and drug use is linked to premature heart disease in young people, particularly younger women, according to research published online by...
Certain jobs associated with higher rates of heavy drinking – UK study
Skilled tradespeople in the United Kingdom are most likely to be associated with heavy drinking, reports research published in the open access journal BMC...
Results from world’s first MDMA – aka ‘ecstasy’ – alcohol use disorder trial
The world’s first trial investigating the role of MDMA therapy for the treatment of alcohol use disorder has shown positive results, reports Health Europa....
Tobacco harm reduction product controls 'insane' – Global expert
Public interest consultant and former United Kingdom government advisor Clive Bates has accused policymakers and anti-tobacco lobbyists of ‘insanely’ turning their big guns on...
The health pros and cons of e-cigarettes – Evidence ambivalence
The jury is still out on the potential dangers and benefits of e-cigarettes, though there seems to be more bad than good news around....
Light to moderate alcohol may reduce risks of cancer, CVD and mortality
Light to moderate alcohol drinkers may have a lower risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease than heavy drinkers and those who abstain entirely, according...
Alcohol-related deaths in Britain hit record high during pandemic – 16% rise in a year
Alcohol-related deaths in England and Wales rose to a record high during 2020, according to the latest official statistics, writes Adam Forrest for The...
US pandemic alcohol use – Age-differentiated and spurred by depression, anxiety
A study from the School of Global Public Health at New York University has found that depression and anxiety contributed to increased drinking during...
Cannabis reduces blood pressure in older adults – Israeli research
A small study published in the European Journal of Internal Medicine, by researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, has shown that...
Alcohol- and tobacco-free Europe envisaged in leaked Commission plan
A leaked European Commission plan to combat cancer envisages a tobacco free generation by 2040 with stricter regulation of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, as...
Legal cannabis stores linked to fewer opioid deaths in the United States – BMJ
Access to legal cannabis stores is associated with a reduction in opioid related deaths in the United States, particularly those linked to synthetic opioids...
Calls for vaping products to have health messages – and separate regulations
Vaping companies in South Africa called this week for separate legislation for tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery systems, reports Independent Online. Meanwhile, research...
Frequent adolescent cannabis use linked to IQ decline — Irish Royal College
A study from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland has found that adolescents who frequently use cannabis may experience a decline in intelligence...
Alcohol consumption associated with nearly 5% of US cancer cases
Alcohol consumption contributed to 4.8% of all United States cancer cases and 3.2% of cancer deaths – translating to 75,199 cases and 18,947 deaths...
The important role of pharmacists in helping people to quit smoking
More than two-thirds of smokers in the United States want to quit, but lack proper resources. A prescribing pharmacy professional could help to solve...
Cannabis abuse by US youth with mood disorders linked to self-harm, death
Heavy use of marijuana by United States teens and young adults with mood disorders – such as depression and bipolar disorder – is linked...
Vaping reduces inflammatory biomarkers compared to smoking – American Council on Science and Health
Remember, before COVID-19 took all the oxygen out of the room, when vaping was a big fear. A new study shows what we have...
We should not allow a cannabis free-for-all – Yale ethicist
Mental health and addiction experts should lead the development of guidelines around the use of cannabis for medicinal and recreational purposes, writes Dr Sarah...
How alcohol may affect responses to the COVID-19 vaccine
Experts in Russia and the United Kingdom have warned that people should avoid drinking alcohol for a brief period of time when being vaccinated against...
Chicago research reveals ways to predict – and treat – alcohol use disorder
New research challenges existing dogma that higher tolerance for stimulating and rewarding effects of alcohol leads to addiction, reports the University of Chicago Medical...
Vaping linked to mental fog — Two US surveys
Adults and kids who vape were more likely to report difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions than their non-vaping, non-smoking peers, in two annual...
E-cigarettes trigger inflammation in the gut — University of California
Research has shown that chemicals used for vaping break down zipper-like junctions between cells in the gut, leading to chronic inflammation and potential for...
To deliver health benefits, vaping must replace smoking – American Heart Association
Smoking traditional cigarettes, as well as using e-cigarettes, results in harmful health effects similar to smoking cigarettes exclusively, reports the American Heart Association. However, people...
Health versus economy – Trauma cases plummet under alcohol ban
Hospitals in major urban areas reported over the New Year that trauma admissions had plummeted following South Africa’s third alcohol ban, writes MedicalBrief. The...
Raise awareness of second hand smoke and reduce its burden – European scientists
The burden from second hand smoke exposure is still significant in European Union countries, reports an international team of European researchers in the journal...
The E-Cigarette Summit 2020 – Less harmful than smoking but not harmless
There is now solid evidence that e-cigarettes are less harmful than conventional cigarettes and are more effective in helping smokers to stop than nicotine...