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Introduction Smoking cessation is a critical public health goal. This study examined the ability of e-cigarettes and very low nicotine cigarettes (VLNCs) to serve as cigarette substitutes and whether a substitution was supported by steady-state nicotine from a nicotine patch. Aims and Methods This mixed design experiment with study product (between-subjects) and patch (within-subjects) factors recruited adults smoking cigarettes daily and not motivated to quit (N  = 160). Participants were randomized to 4 weeks of: (1) VLNCs; (2) e-cigarettes; or (3) no product. During two switch weeks, one with an active nicotine patch and one with a placebo patch (in a double-blind and counterbalanced fashion), participants were told to not smoke their usual cigarettes. Results During the switch weeks, participants in the VLNC (M  = 2.88, SD = .65) and e-cigarette (M  = 3.20, SD = .63) groups smoked fewer of their own cigarettes per day than did no product group participants who continued to smoke their own cigarettes (M  = 5.48, SD = .63); the VLNC and e-cigarette groups did not differ. There was no main effect of patch on mean usual brand cigarettes smoked per day (P  = .09), nor was there a product × patch interaction (P  = .51). There was a product × age interaction (P  = .03); smokers aged 60–74 smoked more of their own cigarettes if they were randomized to no product group. Conclusions VLNCs and e-cigarettes appear to reduce usual brand cigarettes smoked per day to a similar degree, regardless of patch condition. Behavioral factors, in addition to nicotine dependence, play an important role in sustaining smoking behavior and need to be addressed in smoking cessation treatment. Implications This study found that behavioral substitutes for cigarettes, whether or not they delivered nicotine, reduced the number of usual brand cigarettes smoked. Specifically, both e-cigarettes delivering nicotine and VLNCs equally reduce usual brand cigarettes smoked among adults who smoke daily and do not want to quit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence and dependence of e-cigarettes have increased among young adult college students in recent years. Though several independent risk factors for e-cigarette use and dependence have been identified, research employing theory-informed models to predict e-cigarette use and dependence is limited. Objectives: Using Self Determination Theory (SDT), e-cigarette use and dependence may be understood as stemming from need frustration that impairs autonomy, competence, and relatedness, which increases vulnerability for negative health outcomes, including e-cigarette use. Further, need frustration may relate to more e-cigarette use and dependence via higher ruminative thinking, which is known to relate to both need frustration and tobacco use. Method: This study tested this path model (i.e., SDT need frustration components [autonomy, relatedness, competency]→rumination facets [problem-focused thoughts, counterfactual thinking, repetitive thinking, anticipatory thoughts]→e-cigarette use frequency and dependence outcomes) among 1001 college students (75.3% female; 60.4% White, non-Hispanic; 52% first-year students) who endorsed past-month e-cigarette use. Results: Within our path model, we found significant indirect effects via problem-focused thoughts on e-cigarette use frequency and e-cigarette dependence. Specifically, higher scores on SDT autonomy, competence, and relatedness frustration were associated with greater problem-focused thoughts, which was associated with higher e-cigarette use frequency and e-cigarette dependence scores. Conclusions/Importance: Results highlight the importance of distinguishing between the unique facets of rumination in understanding relations with e-cigarette use. Further intervention research targeting need frustration and ruminative thinking (particularly problem-focused thoughts) among college student e-cigarette-dependent users is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Remote work allows one to work free from workplace policy, but it may negatively affect health-related behaviors such as tobacco product use and alcohol drinking. Our study aimed to investigate the association of remote work with tobacco dependence and hazardous alcohol use. Methods: This nationwide Internet-based survey was conducted in Japan in February 2023. Using the data of 8,292 workers aged 18 – 64, frequency of remote work (0, < 1, ≥ 1 day per week), tobacco dependence based on the scores of the Tobacco Dependence Screener ≥ 5, hazardous alcohol use based on the scores of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test ≥ 8 were assessed. Then, the associations of frequency of remote work with tobacco dependence and hazardous alcohol use were examined using a multivariable Poisson regression model. Results: The percentages of remote work 0, < 1, ≥ 1 day per week were 56.6%, 9.9%, and 33.5%, respectively, whereas those of tobacco dependency and hazardous alcohol use were 11.3% and 17.9%, respectively. Remote work < 1 day per week (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 1.30, 95%CI 1.07 – 1.57), and ≥ 1 per week (aPR 1.29, 95%CI 1.13 – 1.47) were associated with tobacco dependence. Further, remote work < 1 day per week (aPR 1.43, 95%CI 1.25 – 1.65), and ≥ 1 per week (aPR 1.40, 95%CI 1.27 – 1.55) were associated with hazardous alcohol use. Conclusions: Remote workers showed higher prevalence of tobacco dependence and hazardous alcohol use. The health behavior of remote workers should be carefully monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Nervenarzt is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present research explored the influence of nicotine dependence on anger, psychological distress, and quality of life among adult smokers aged >20 years. A cross-sectional research design was used in the present study, and the total sample included N =300 adult smokers. The data were collected using the purposive sampling technique. Pearson correlation analysis and linear regression analysis were performed to test the hypotheses. The correlation analysis revealed that nicotine dependence was positively related to anger and psychological distress and regression results revealed that nicotine dependence is a significant positive predictor of anger and psychological distress. The present study is useful in explaining the negative effects of nicotine dependence on mental health and raising awareness of nicotine-related problems on quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates adult smoking in Pakistan by examining demographics, psychometrics, and socioeconomic disparities among smokers aged over 20 years. A cross-sectional design was employed with a sample of 300 adult smokers, using purposive sampling for data collection through self-report instruments: The Cigarette Dependence Scale, Novaco Anger Scale, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, and WHO Quality of Life Scale. Key demographic factors, including area, socioeconomic status, family system, and marital status, were analyzed to identify trends in smoking behaviors. The study highlights psychological factors such as nicotine dependence and health-related quality of life. Additionally, it emphasizes disparities in tobacco use across income levels and regions, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to improve access to cessation resources and public health campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The high comorbidity between schizophrenia and cigarette smoking points to a possible shared heritable factor predisposing individuals with schizophrenia to nicotine addiction. The N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor has been highly implicated in both schizophrenia and nicotine addiction. Methods In the present study, we used mice with a null mutation on the serine racemase gene (srr), an established risk gene for schizophrenia, which encodes the enzyme to produce the NMDA receptor co-agonist d -serine, to model the pathology of schizophrenia and to determine whether NMDA receptor hypofunction reduced the ability of srr −/− mice to identify nicotine's subjective effects. Established nicotine discrimination procedures were used to train srr −/− and wild-type (WT) mice to discriminate 0.4 mg/kg nicotine under a 10-response fixed-ratio (FR10) schedule of food reinforcement. Results Results show that WT mice reliably acquired 0.4 mg/kg nicotine discrimination in about 54 training sessions, whereas srr −/− mice failed to acquire robust 0.4 mg/kg nicotine discrimination even after extended (>70) training sessions. These results show that NDMA receptor hypofunction in srr −/− mice decreased sensitivity to the interoceptive effects of nicotine. Conclusions Projected to humans, NMDA receptor hypofunction caused by mutations to the serine racemase gene in schizophrenia may reduce sensitivity to nicotine's subjective effects leading to increased nicotine consumption to produce the same effects as those unaffected by schizophrenia. Implications There is high comorbidity between schizophrenia and nicotine dependence as well as possible shared genetic risk factors between the two. The serine racemase knockout mouse (srr −/− ) with NMDA receptor hypofunction has been developed as a model for schizophrenia. We found that srr −/− mice were unable to acquire 0.4 mg/kg nicotine discrimination, while WT mice readily discriminated nicotine. These results show that decreased NMDA receptor function present in srr −/− mice and patients with schizophrenia may result in reduced sensitivity to nicotine's interoceptive effects, leading to increased nicotine consumption to produce the same subjective effects as those unaffected by schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Increased salience of drug-related cues over nondrug reinforcers can drive drug use and contribute to tobacco use disorder (TUD). An important scientific and clinical goal is to effectively measure this elevated drug-seeking behavior in TUD. However, most TUD assessments rely on self-reported cravings and cigarette consumption, not providing an objective measure of the impact of drug cues on biasing behavior toward drugs. The probabilistic image choice (PIC) task investigates the choice of viewing drug-related pictures as compared to other salient pictures (eg, pleasant and unpleasant). This study aimed to develop and validate the PIC task for TUD and evaluate the associations between behavioral choice and tobacco craving, daily cigarette consumption, quit attempts and motivation to quit, and nicotine dependence (the Fagerström score). Methods We recruited 468 smokers and 121 nonsmokers using the Prolific online platform. Participants performed the PIC task twice (at a 1-month interval) and completed other measures relevant to TUD. Results Compared to nonsmokers, tobacco smokers selected to view significantly more tobacco images and less pleasant (nondrug reinforcer) images, a profile that remained stable at retest. Individual differences in choice of tobacco as compared to pleasant images on the PIC task were associated with craving but not with the other tobacco dependence measures, suggesting that the task may serve as a behavioral proxy measure of drug "wanting" rather than of cumulative nicotine exposure or physical dependence. Conclusions These results suggest that the PIC task can be a valuable tool for objectively assessing craving-associated tobacco seeking in TUD. Implications Most of the current measures of TUD rely on self-reports of consumption, dependence, and craving, and do not take into consideration the role of drug-related cues in driving tobacco seeking. This study shows that the PIC task provides an objective, reliable proxy measure of tobacco image-seeking behavior in people who smoke cigarettes that is linked to craving (desire) for smoking but not to other measures of TUD. Therefore, the PIC task may be a useful complementary tool for the classification, diagnosis, and prognosis of TUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the fundamental questions in real‐time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (rt‐fMRI NF) investigations is the definition of a suitable neural target for training. Previously, we applied a meta‐analytical approach to define a network‐level target for connectivity‐based rt‐fMRI NF in substance use disorders. The analysis yielded consistent connectivity alterations between the insula and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as well as the dorsal striatum and the ACC. In the current investigation, we addressed the feasibility of regulating this network and its functional relevance using connectivity‐based neurofeedback. In a double‐blind, sham‐controlled design, 60 nicotine users were randomly assigned to the experimental or sham control group for one NF training session. The preregistered primary outcome was defined as improved inhibitory control performance after regulation of the target network compared to sham control. Secondary outcomes were (1) neurofeedback‐specific changes in functional connectivity of the target network; (2) changes in smoking behavior and impulsivity measures; and (3) changes in resting‐state connectivity profiles. Our results indicated no differences in behavioral measures after receiving feedback from the target network compared to the sham feedback. Target network connectivity was increased during regulation blocks compared to rest blocks, however, the experimental and sham groups could regulate to a similar degree. Accordingly, the observed activation patterns may be related to the mental strategies used during regulation attempts irrespective of the group assignment. We discuss several crucial factors regarding the efficacy of a single‐session connectivity‐based neurofeedback for the target network. This includes high fluctuation in the connectivity values of the target network that may impact controllability of the signal. To our knowledge, this investigation is the first randomized, double‐blind controlled real‐time fMRI study in nicotine users. This raises the question of whether previously observed effects in nicotine users are specific to the neurofeedback signal or reflect more general self‐regulation attempts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to provide useful information that could help female smokers quit smoking by exploring factors that could predict their empowerment to quit smoking. The participants were 337 Korean female smokers aged 20 years or older, whose average age was 35.70 years (SD = 9.19). The model predicting female smokers' empowerment to quit smoking was verified using stepwise regression analysis and a decision-tree data-mining method. The results revealed that nicotine dependence, stimulation smoking, smoking for relaxation and tension reduction, craving smoking, habitual smoking, and the recognition that premenstrual syndrome (PMS) interfered with smoking cessation were negatively correlated with the female smokers' empowerment to quit, whereas motivation to quit smoking was positively correlated therewith. Optimistic and present biases were positively correlated with perceived meaning of quit smoking. A stepwise regression analysis revealed that nicotine dependence accounted for the most variance of female smokers' empowerment to quit smoking. A decision-tree model predicting female smokers' empowerment to quit smoking included motivation to quit, amount of smoking per day, alcohol use, craving smoking, smoking for relaxation and tension reduction, and height. These findings provide useful information to assist in further research and to plan intervention for female smokers' smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The increasing smoking population in Africa necessitates intensified tobacco cessation services. Assessing nicotine dependence with tools such as the heaviness of smoking index (HSI) aids in cessation efforts. This study evaluated the association between HSI and quit attempts and quit intentions among African cigarette smokers. Methods: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) data from eight African countries collected between 2011 and 2018 were analysed. The time to first smoke (TTFS) and number of cigarettes per day (CPD) were used to estimate the HSI score and dependence level. The association between HSI dependence level and quit attempts and quit intentions was evaluated using likelihood ratios (LR). Results: Among 2,399 daily cigarette users, 1,618 (67.5%) were exclusive cigarette users. The average and median CPDs were 8.27 ± 8.3 and 5 (IQR: 2–18), respectively, with Ethiopia having the highest mean CPD (11.6). In Ethiopia, 51.5% of exclusive and 42% of nonexclusive users had low dependence (HSI < 2), whereas 43.9% and 31.3% of other African countries had low dependence. The association between low dependence and quit attempts was significant only for exclusive cigarette smokers in Ethiopia, with LR of 1.45 (95% CI: 1.08–1.93). The association between low dependence and quit intentions was significant in Ethiopia for both exclusive (LR = 1.42) and nonexclusive (LR = 1.53) users. None of the LR estimates were > 10 or < 0.1. Conclusion: The association between low dependence (HSI < 2) and quit behaviour was limited in African settings, highlighting the complex interplay between usage patterns, dependence assessment, and quit behaviour. A contextual tool for assessing nicotine dependence tailored to African settings is warranted for effective smoking cessation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, habits related to smoking have been changing. An increasing portion of light/occasional smokers tend to define themselves as non-smokers, leading to an incorrect perception of the risks that smoking even a few cigarettes can entail. In this study, we investigated the nicotine-induced cognitive distortion in young, higher-education students with low/moderate dependence (as indexed by the Fagerstrom questionnaire). The study involved 111 participants (62 female; mean age 24.43 ± 3.77) divided into smokers and non-smokers, who responded to specific questionnaires to evaluate their attachment style, emotion dysregulation, and state anxiety. Their response to smoking-related cues following emotional stimulation was experimentally evaluated, with participants being made to choose between care- or smoking-related images, following the presentation of threatening or neutral stimuli. The results show a cognitive bias in smokers, with participants choosing smoking-related stimuli significantly more often than non-smokers, with a slower reaction time, regardless of emotional cues. Emotion dysregulation and attachment style were also significantly correlated with response choice but not with response latency. Overall, our data indicate that there is no such thing as light use of nicotine and that smoking, even if not continuous, determines cognitive biases that lead to a vision of the environment as a function of substance seeking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India bears the highest global burden of oral cancer, despite having an operational tobacco cessation framework. Occupational groups like solid waste management personnel face significant health challenges due to prevalent tobacco use, leading to oral potentially malignant lesions and oral cancer. Enhanced tobacco control strategies are essential for these groups. Methods: A pre-post interventional, community-based study enrolled 1200 municipal workers in Varanasi, India, from July 2022 to August 2023. 858 tobacco users underwent screening and were randomly assigned to one of three interventions: Very Brief Advice, Individual Behavioral Counseling, or Group Behavioral Therapy. Follow-up was conducted one year after the baseline interventions Effectiveness was measured by nicotine dependence reduction using the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) scores and cessation rates defined as at least 6-month abstinence. Appropriate statistical tests assessed the burden of tobacco use, oral potentially malignant lesions, and pre-post differences in FTND scores within and between groups. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Municipal workers exhibited a high prevalence (71.5%) of smokeless tobacco (SLT) use. One-third (32.9%) of the participants screened positive for oral potentially malignant lesions and oral cancer. Leukoplakia was the most common lesion. Screened positivity correlated with significant nicotine dependence. Among 494 follow-up participants, 47.1% reported a significant reduction in nicotine dependence across all intervention groups. Quade's ANCOVA indicated significant differences in post-test FTND scores, with individual behavioral counselling showing the greatest reduction. However, no cessation was achieved in any group despite the significant decline in dependence. Conclusion: Solid waste management personnel in Varanasi show heightened SLT use and associated oral potentially malignant lesions. The persistent tobacco use in these high-risk occupational populations undermines government tobacco control efforts and highlights the need for robust policy and implementation strategies. The study demonstrated a significant reduction in nicotine dependence following interventions, though tobacco cessation was not achieved. More frequent interventions and addressing quitting barriers—such as cultural norms, lack of awareness, easy accessibility, and adverse working conditions—are crucial. Developing a tailored workplace model to tackle tobacco use in occupational settings may facilitate cessation. Clinical trial registration number: Trial registration Clinical Trials Registry India CTRI/2020/07/026479. Date of registration 10/07/2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cigarette smoking causes serious complications and diseases in a person's life, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and some cancers, including lung cancer. On the other hand, studies have shown that smokers do not have a real understanding of the health hazards of smoking. This study was conducted to determine the perceived risk of lung cancer and COPD in current smokers. This cross-sectional study which was conducted between January-May 2023, recruited 380 current smokers by convenience sampling in community setting. The data were collected face to face using three questionnaires (1) the risk perception for lung cancer and COPD questionnaire, (2) the smoking stage of change questionnaire, and (3) the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence. We examined the relationship between the included variables and the smokers' perceived risk of lung cancer and COPD by using multiple linear regression. We found that lower education (coefficient = 3.60, 95%CI [1.00, 6.19], P < 0.0001) for elementary level and (coefficient = 2.81, 95% CI [0.36, 5.26], P < 0.05) for secondary level had greater lung cancer perceived risk. Besides, smoking age onset for 20 + years (coefficient=-1.36, 95%CI [-2.42, -3.17], P < 0.0001) lower than those who started before the age of 20 were associated with lower perceived risk for lung cancer. Regarding COPD, results indicated that lower education (coefficient = 4.54, 95% CI [1.87, 7.21], p < 0001) for elementary level (coefficient = 3.35, 95% CI [0.83, 5.87], p < 0.001) for secondary level and (coefficient = 3.03, 95% CI[-0.67, 4.25], P < 0.05) for high school dropout, and employment status (coefficient = 3.62, 95% CI[0.66, 6.59], p < 0.05) of employer and (coefficient = 3.23, 95% CI [0.14, 6.33], p < 0.05) for homemaker reported greater perceived risk. This study's results showed that participants' perceived risk was relatively low. It seems necessary to carry out interventions to inform about the harms of smoking and to enhance public awareness about the heightened risks of diseases such as lung cancer and COPD among cigarette smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nicotine dependence is associated with glutamatergic neurotransmission in the caudate and putamen (CPu) of the forebrain which includes alterations in the structure of dendritic spines at glutamate synapses. These changes after nicotine exposure can lead to the development of habitual behaviors such as smoking. The present study investigated the hypothesis that cofilin, an actin-binding protein that is linked to the GluN2B subunits of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors regulates the morphology of dendritic spines in the neurons of the CPu after repeated exposure to nicotine. Results: Adult male rats received subcutaneous injections of nicotine (0.3 mg/kg/day) or vehicle for seven consecutive days. DiI staining was conducted to observe changes in dendritic spine morphology. Repeated subcutaneous injections of nicotine decreased the phosphorylation of cofilin while increasing the formation of thin spines and filopodia in the dendrites of medium spiny neurons (MSN) in the CPu of rats. Bilateral intra-CPu infusion of the cofilin inhibitor, cytochalasin D (12.5 µg/µL/side), restored the thin spines and filopodia from mushroom types after repeated exposure to nicotine. Similar results were obtained from the bilateral intra-CPu infusion of the selective GluN2B subunit antagonist, Ro 25-6981 (4 µM/µL/side). Bilateral intra-CPu infusion of cytochalasin D that interferes with the actin-cofilin interaction attenuated the repeated nicotine-induced increase in locomotor sensitization in rats. Conclusions: These findings suggest that active cofilin alters the structure of spine heads from mushroom to thin spine/filopodia by potentiating actin turnover, contributing to behavioral sensitization after nicotine exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Increasingly, people smoke cigarettes outdoors and avoid exposing bystanders to harm. People may not have the same motivation to vape outdoors since e-cigarettes, unlike cigarettes, do not create side stream emissions and exhaled aerosol contains fewer toxicants than secondhand smoke. This study aims to estimate the prevalence and correlates of vaping and smoking indoors among adults in England. Aims and Methods Data came from the Health Survey for England 2019, a cross-sectional household survey. Adults who vape or smoke (N  = 1530) were asked whether they had vaped or smoked indoors inside the home, car, or other places within the past 7 days. Logistic regression was used to estimate prevalence and key correlates of indoor use, including age, sex, presence of adults/children in home, housing tenure, and nicotine dependence. Results People who exclusively vaped were much more likely to use their product indoors than those who exclusively smoked (87.0% vs. 52.0%; odds ratio [OR] = 6.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.09 to 9.28). Similarly, people who dual used had higher odds of vaping than smoking indoors (62.1% vs. 44.3%; OR = 3.76, 95% CI = 2.06 to 6.84). The preference for vaping over smoking indoors was found across different locations, including at home and in cars. Those who were older, highly dependent on nicotine, and lived alone were most prone to use any product indoors. While housing tenure was not strongly associated with vaping indoors, those living in social housing were much more likely to smoke indoors than homeowners. Conclusions Adults in England are much more likely to vape than smoke indoors. Age, nicotine dependence, and living alone are strongly associated with both behaviors. Implications Our results show that people have a strong preference for vaping over smoking indoors, including in the home. Given the high prevalence of vaping indoors, policy makers, landlords, and businesses must weigh up the ethics, benefits, and harms of extending smoke-free laws to include e-cigarettes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tobacco kills half of its users and globally every year around 8 million deaths are attributable to tobacco use. All forms of tobacco are harmful and there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco but cigarette smoking is the most common and notorious since it kills not only its users but also the innocent passive bystanders. Objectives: The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of cigarette use, minimum length of cigarette (nicotine portion) to quench the craving, level of nicotine dependence along with their stage of change (in behaviour to quit tobacco use) and also to find out its determinants among males above 15 years residing in the urban field practicing area of a Public Health Institute. Materials and methods: A community based observational, crosssectional study was conducted in a slum of West Bengal. Data was collected as per a pre-designed and pre-tested schedule adapted from GATS India Questionnaire. Males above 15 years of age residing in the study area were interviewed during house-to-house visit. Results: A total of 352 study participants were interviewed. 38.4% of study participants consumes cigarettes on a regular basis. Study participants with a positive family history of tobacco use are 2.1 times (95% CI: 1.3, 3.4) more probable to use cigarettes. Half of the population are in stage of precontemplation and 43.7% of them are having high level of nicotine dependency. 66.7% of them do not need to consume the full length of a cigarette to quench their craving. Those with younger age of initiation (OR 5.35 95%CI:2.5,11.2) and consume full length of cigarette (OR 2.72, 95% CI: 1.3,5.7) are having more probability of high nicotine dependency than their counterparts. Odds of willingness to quit is significantly more among those who don't require full length of a cigarette even when adjusted with various covariates found significant in univariate regression. Conclusion: Length of the cigarettes (nicotine portion) may be reduced to at least half the size of present standard length to not only decrease the nicotine dependence but also to encourage quitting behaviour among the users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exact relationship between nicotine metabolism and dependence is not fully understood but is known to be influenced at a molecular level by genetic factors. A sample comprising 274 Chinese adult male smokers was categorized into groups based on their metabolic rates, namely fast, intermediate, and slow metabolizers. We then measured their smoking topography, evaluated their nicotine dependence, and assessed the rewarding effects. Based on these findings, we proposed the hypothesis that the rate of nicotine metabolism could influence the level of dopamine release which in turn had repercussions on the pleasurable and rewarding effects. To test this hypothesis, male mice were selected with different nicotine metabolic rates that closely resembled in the smoker group. We evaluated their nicotine dependence and rewarding effects through conditioned place preference and withdrawal symptom tests, supplemented with dopamine release measurements. In both animal and human, the slow metabolism group (SMG) required less nicotine to maintain a comparable level of dependence than the fast metabolism group (FMG). The SMG could achieve similar rewarding effects to FMG despite consuming less nicotine. Comparable dopamine levels released were therefore critical in setting the nicotine acquisition behavior in this animal model and also for the smokers tested. Our findings suggested that even within the same ethnicity of established smokers (Chinese Han), differences in nicotine metabolism were an important parameter to modulate the degree of nicotine dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous research has investigated the association between attachment styles and smoking behaviors, indicating a positive association of insecure attachment styles with nicotine dependence. However, these links were mostly explored in adolescent and student samples. Moreover, the explanatory mechanisms and the variables influencing the strength of this relationship remained understudied. In this context, the present study aims to: (1) examine the associations between attachment anxiety, avoidance, and nicotine dependence; (2) investigate the mediating role of emotion dysregulation and metacognitions about smoking; and (3) test the moderating roles of psychological capital and type of tobacco product used by the participants. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of 447 participants who reported smoking. The age range of participants was 18 to 64 (M = 26.76; 59.7% women). All participants have completed five questionnaires measuring nicotine dependence, adult attachment, emotion dysregulation, metacognitions about smoking, and psychological capital. They also reported the type of tobacco product commonly used: classic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or heated tobacco products. Results: Our findings show that the direct link between insecure attachment and nicotine dependence is rather inconsistent. However, it was mediated by the metacognitions about smoking. Psychological capital can act as a protective factor against the effects of attachment on nicotine dependence, especially for those using alternative tobacco products alongside classic cigarettes. Conclusions: The findings highlight the possibility of developing better-tailored interventions and treatments to discourage smoking and increase smoking cessation. These should focus on eliminating the dysfunctional beliefs related to the metacognitions about smoking and on improving the levels of psychological capital. In addition, targeting attachment insecurities in early adolescence can also function as a mean to prevent smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the negative impact of smoking and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) on depression has been confirmed in various studies, There has been little exploration of how HRQoL mediates the relationship between smoking and depression. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between smoking and depression in the Chinese current smokers with nicotine dependence and the mediating role of HRQoL. Methods: A cross-sectional study named "Psychology and Behavior Investigation of Chinese Residents" was conducted from July 10 to September 15, 2021 in China. Nicotine dependence, HRQoL and depression were measured by Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), the European Five Dimensional Five Level Health scale (EQ-5D-5L) and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) respectively. Information on age, gender, place of residence, household registration, education level, marital status, employment status, average family monthly income, drinking frequency, living status, BMI, multiple chronic conditions were also collected. Pearson's correlation test and logistic regression analysis were conducted to explore the association between nicotine dependence, HRQoL and depression and a mediation analysis was applied to explore the mediating effect of the HRQoL on this relationship. Results: A total of 1,381 current smokers were included in the study. The participants showed a moderate level of nicotine dependence with a mean of 1.36(SD=1.50), a relatively high level of HRQoL scores (Mean=0.94, SD=0.13), and a depression score with a mean of 6.48(SD=6.09). Approximately 22.74% (314/1,381) of the participants were considered to indicate depression. In the univariable regression model, it was found that nicotine dependence was positively associated with depression (OR:1.094, 95%CI: 1.008-1.187), while HRQoL was negatively associated with depression (OR:0.011, 95%CI: 0.004-0.033). In the multivariable regression model, HRQoL was still notably associated with depression (OR:0.008, 95%CI: 0.002-0.027), however, the positive association was not observed between nicotine dependence and depression. The Pearson's correlation test demonstrated that nicotine dependence was negatively correlated with HRQoL(rs= -0.147, P<0.001) and HRQoL was negatively correlated with depression(rs= -0.275, P<0.001). In contrast, nicotine dependence was positively correlated with depression(rs= 0.136, P<0.001). Mediation analysis found that HRQoL moderated the relationship between nicotine dependence and depression with a mediating effect of 26.49%. Conclusions: The findings support that nicotine dependence is positively associated with depression and HRQoL is negatively associated with depression in current smokers. HRQoL mediated the relationship between nicotine dependence and depression. The well-established imperative interventions aimed at promoting smoking cessation and improving quality of life may benefit for alleviation of depression in current smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Izmir Katip Celebi University Faculty of Health Sciences Journal / İzmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Izmir Katip Celebi University, Faculty of Health Sciene Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

There is uncertainty regarding whether the degree of nicotine dependence directly impacts the increase or decrease of attentional biases towards smoking-related cues. Their relationship remains unclear. Therefore, we compared the attentional bias among smokers with varying levels of dependence. We conducted the study with 114 smokers, utilizing a Modified Stroop Paradigm and Dot Probe Tasks to assess attentional biases toward both smoking-related and neutral cues. The objective was to compare attention bias levels among individuals with varying degrees of dependence. At various levels of nicotine dependence -whether mild, moderate, or severe- individuals demonstrated a consistent attentional bias towards smoking-related cues, suggesting no significant distinction between these groups. The results of the study show that there was no discernable correlation between attentional bias concerning smoking-related stimuli and the level of nicotine dependency. The results are discussed together with the existing studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to detect the mediating role of mindfulness in the relationship between psychological dependence on smoking and perceived stress levels. Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, Psychological Dependence to Smoking Scale, and Perceived Stress Level Scale were applied. To evaluate the indirect effects, regression analysis and the Sobel Z test were used. Of the 68 female (45%) and 83 male (55%) participants, Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence score (5.75 ± 2.51) was higher in past experiences of quitting for less than 1 month vs. longer quitting periods (p = .02). The mindfulness level was found to be negatively correlated with the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence score (p = .216; r = -.101), perceived stress score (p < .001; r = -.296), and psychological dependence scores (p = .001; r = -.271). Regression analysis revealed that the perceived stress and mindfulness levels were predictors on psychological dependence (B = 0.204; t = 2.548; p = .012, and B = -0.236; t = -3.525; p = .005, respectively). The results of the Sobel test evaluating the mediator role of mindfulness in the relationship between perceived stress and psychological dependence were significant (Z value = 2.337, p = .019). These results highlight the role of mindfulness in smokers toward reducing associated perceived stress with psychological dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smoking is one of the main causes of death in the world. Cigarette use is related with various components of metabolic syndrome (e.g., insulin resistance, raised blood pressure, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, inflammation state) and psychiatric disorders. This study was conducted to determine the effect of crocin (Cro) supplementation on nicotine dependence, anxiety, depression, and metabolic indices in smokers. A total of 50 smokers were selected and randomly categorized into two groups (crocin and placebo). The intervention group received crocin (30 mg per day; n = 25) and placebo (containing Avicel; n = 25) once a day. The primary (nicotine dependence, depression, and anxiety inventory) and secondary (metabolic indices) outcomes were assessed at the start of the intervention and after the 3 months. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the treatment effects on the outcomes adjusting for confounding variables. The primary outcome results such as nicotine dependence, depression, and anxiety inventory did not have a significant difference among the intervention groups (P > 0.05). Also in the secondary outcomes, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin, and homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels did indicate a significant difference by Cro intervention (β − 3.27 mg/dL; 95% CI, − 5.23, − 1.31; P = 0.002; β − 0.76 μIU/mL; 95% CI, − 1.38, − 0.15; P = 0.01; β − 0.18; 95% CI, − 0.29, − 0.07; P = 0.002), respectively. There were also significant reductions in serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (β − 0.72 mg/L; 95% CI, − 1.37, − 0.07; P = 0.03), compared with the placebo. Cro intake may have favorable effects on the level of FPG, insulin, HOMA-IR, and hs-CRP in smokers. However, due to the small sample size and limited scientific reports on smokers, further studies are necessary. ClinicalTrial.gov Identifier: IRCT20170420033551N11 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conceptualizing tobacco dependence as a chronic relapsing condition suggests the need to use analytic strategies that reflect that premise. However, clinical trials for smoking cessation typically define the primary endpoint as a measure of abstinence at a single timepoint distal to the intervention, typically 3–12 months. This reinforces the concept of tobacco outcomes as a dichotomous state—one is, or is not, abstinent. Fortunately, there are several approaches available to handle longitudinal data that reflect the relapsing and remitting nature of tobacco use during treatment studies. In this paper, sponsored by the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco's Treatment Research Network, we present an introductory overview of these techniques and their application in smoking cessation clinical trials. Topics discussed include models to examine abstinence outcomes (eg, trajectory models of abstinence, models for transitions in smoking behavior, models for time to event), models that examine reductions in tobacco use, and models to examine joint outcomes (eg, examining changes in the use of more than one tobacco product). Finally, we discuss three additional relevant topics (ie, heterogeneity of effects, handling missing data, and power and sample size) and provide summary information about the type of model that can be used based on the type of data collected and the focus of the study. We encourage investigators to familiarize themselves with these techniques and use them in the analysis of data from clinical trials of smoking cessation treatment. Implications Clinical trials of tobacco dependence treatment typically measure abstinence 3–12 months after participant enrollment. However, because smoking is a chronic relapsing condition, these measures of intervention success may not accurately reflect the common trajectories of tobacco abstinence and relapse. Several analytical techniques facilitate this type of outcome modeling. This paper is meant to be an introduction to these concepts and techniques to the global nicotine and tobacco research community including which techniques can be used for different research questions with visual summaries of which types of models can be used for different types of data and research questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction With increasing tobacco product varieties, understanding tobacco use (TU) profiles and their associations with tobacco dependence (TD) has also become increasingly challenging. Aims and Methods We aimed to identify TU profiles and their associations with TD over time, and to identify subgroups with high risk of TD. We included 3463 adult recent tobacco users who had complete TU and TD data across waves 1–4 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study. We used a composite index of TD and a summed TD score from an established 16-item TD measure. We applied a latent class analysis to identify TU profiles based on participants' usage of eight common tobacco product groups at each survey wave and to check the stability of the TU profiles over time. We then used generalized estimating equations regressions to evaluate the longitudinal TU–TD association, adjusting for potential confounders. Results We identified three distinct TU profiles that remained consistent across four survey waves: Dominant cigarette users (62%–68%), poly users with high propensity of using traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and cigars (24%–31%), and dominant smokeless product users (7%–9%). Covariate-adjusted models showed that TD was significantly lower among the poly users and the dominant smokeless users, compared to that among the dominant cigarette users. Conclusions Both TU profiles and their associations with TD were stable over time at the population level. Poly users and smokeless product users were consistently associated with lower TD than cigarette-dominant users, suggesting the need for tailored tobacco cessation interventions for users with different TU profiles. Implications The finding of consistent TU profiles across four survey waves extends the current literature in capturing TU patterns in an evolving tobacco product landscape. The finding of the overall higher level of TD among the cigarette-dominant users compared to the other TU latent profiles (the Cig+eCig+Cigar dominant poly users and the dominant smokeless product users) can help identify high-risk groups for potential interventions. Our application of innovative statistical methods to high-quality longitudinal data from the PATH study helps improve the understanding of the dynamic TU–TD relationship over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Despite decades of research on co-occurring smoking and depression, cessation rates remain consistently lower for depressed smokers than for smokers in the general population, highlighting the need for theory-driven models of smoking and depression. This paper provides a systematic review with a particular focus on psychological states that disproportionately motivate smoking in depression, and frame an incentive learning theory account of smoking-depression co-occurrence. The objective of the study was to estimate the sociodemographic correlates of tobacco consumption and its association with depression. Methodology: This is a cross sectional study. Over a period of one year around 120 depressed and tobacco dependent patients of age group 15 to 80 years were sampled from a tertiary care hospital in this study. Data on tobacco consumption and pattern was elicited from patients and household informants. Prevalence and sociodemographic profile of tobacco dependent depressed patients were used as outcome measures. Association between level of nicotine dependence and severity of depression was also assessed. Results: It was observed that such patients were more associated with the male gender (Females; N=5

Background: Nicotine dependence is one of the most significant barriers to smoking cessation. Therefore, measuring this dependence is crucial for effective smoking cessation interventions. The current study aimed to evaluate the degree of agreement between the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and the Heaviness of Smoking Index (HSI) among Iranian smokers. Methods: We analyzed the data obtained from two previous studies among 580 daily smokers in Iran. Data were collected using the FTND scale. Cohen's kappa was utilized to assess the degree of agreement between HSI and FTND. Findings: The HSI showed significant agreement with FTND (Cohen's kappa = 0.72) in assessing nicotine dependence, with a sensitivity of 88.6% and a specificity of 90.3%. Conclusion: The HSI is a valid and reliable tool for measuring nicotine dependence, exhibiting significant agreement with FTND. As a result, the HSI can be considered an alternative to the FTND in both clinical and research settings, particularly for heavy smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The related literature has primarily addressed cigarette smoking control. It seems that researchers have failed to explore the determinants of hookah smoking (HS) control. In an attempt to fill this gap, the present study explores experts' views about aspects of HS control in Bandar Abbas, a city in the south of Iran. Methods: The present qualitative study, conducted in 2022 and 2023, used a content analysis. To this aim, 30 experts in tobacco prevention and control were invited to participate in the research. Twenty seven accepted the invitation. In-depth, semi-structured, and face-to-face interviews were held with the experts. A purposive sampling was used and the data collection continued until data saturation. The interviews lasted between 18 and 65 min. MAXQDA 10.0 was used for data management and analysis. Results: The expert interviewees had a mean age of 44.77 ± 6.57 years and a mean work experience of 18.6 ± 6.8 years. A total number of six main categories were extracted from the data, including usin influential figures to control HS, controlling HS by alternative activities, changing beliefs and attitudes toward HS, taking administrative and regulatory measures, and facilitating HS cessation. Conclusion: This qualitative study explored the multifaceted ways people adopt to quit HS. Using influential figures to control hookah smoking, promoting alternative activities as a means of control, changing beliefs and attitudes, enforcing administrative regulations, and facilitating quit attempts all play an important role in tackling the prevalence of hookah smoking. These findings emphasize the importance of a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to integrate various interventions to effectively address hookah smoking behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of tobacco use in the Middle East is alarmingly high, especially among university students; most users initiate tobacco use during adolescence and young adulthood. Evidence-based cessation services can be beneficial when quitting tobacco use; however, these services are underutilized. This study aimed to explore the barriers preventing university students in Qatar from seeking tobacco cessation services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 Qatar University students who are current or former tobacco users (n  = 18/2); most current cigarette smokers were also waterpipe users. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis. The major barriers to seeking tobacco cessation services included misconceptions regarding nicotine addiction, negative perceptions of the cessation services' effectiveness, self-efficacy regarding the ability to quit without seeking cessation services, concerns and preferences regarding practitioners' characteristics at clinics, masculine culture that discourages men from seeking cessation help, social stigma around women who use tobacco in Arab culture, and a lack of time to visit cessation clinics. Our findings address gaps in the literature regarding the individual and sociocultural barriers to seeking tobacco cessation among youth in Qatar. A better understanding of these barriers can facilitate successful promotion of tobacco cessation services and enhance cessation-seeking behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-invasive brain stimulation methods are currently being evaluated for treatment of addictive disorders. Some evidence indicates that modulating left and right prefrontal brain activity by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can reduce craving and relapse rates in tobacco addiction. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of active and sham tDCS as an add-on treatment to a standardized brief intervention for smoking cessation. This randomized, double-blind study included 36 participants (22 women and 14 men) with nicotine dependence according to ICD-10 criteria. At five visits on alternate days, participants underwent a 20-min active or sham tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and subsequently participated in a 10-min brief intervention for smoking cessation. Patients were followed up after 3 months. On each treatment day and at follow-up, abstinence was assessed as the smoking status nonsmoker and craving was assessed with the German version of the Questionnaire on Smoking Urges. At each visit, the number of cigarettes smoked per day was recorded and carbon monoxide in expired air and cotinine in saliva were measured. At follow-up, a study-specific questionnaire was used to assess tobacco use. All 36 participants completed the treatment sessions, but one participant in each group was lost to follow-up. Abstinence rates were not significantly different between the groups at any of the study visits, but craving was significantly lower in the active group at tDCS session 5 compared with session 1. tDCS combined with a brief intervention may support smoking cessation, but studies need to evaluate whether longer and more intensive treatment can achieve significant, sustainable effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Smoking habits have widely changed over time; however, they remain a well-known fashion that risks people's health. In addition, nicotine addiction depends on the interplay between several factors. Our study aimed to understand the smoking habits and nicotine dependence in the Lebanese population before (September 2019) and during (June 2020) the economic crisis and COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This observational cross-sectional survey-based study included 1560 Lebanese individuals aged between 13 and 75 years old from June till October 2020. Data collection was performed through an electronic survey including patients' demographics and validated instruments to assess addiction to nicotine (CAGE, Four C's, Fagerström test, and Smoker's profile scores). Results: Out of 1560 participants, 794 (50.9%) were males. The mean age was 26.5 ± 11.69 years, and 67.8% were aged between 18 and 25 years old. We found that 865 (55.4%) participants were smokers. In addition, smoking cigarettes or vaping, significantly increased between September 2019 and June 2020. Our smoker group showed a high CAGE positivity (P <.001), marked compulsion (P <.001), and a considerable lack of self-control to surcease smoking (P <.001). Furthermore, the nicotine dependence score (NDS) increased with age (B =.166) and decreased with higher educational levels (B = −.219). Conclusion: During the economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lebanese population showed an increased prevalence of smoking, a high level of CAGE positivity, strong compulsion, and a significant lack of self-control when it came to quitting smoking. This strongly entails public health measures for smoking cessation through national awareness campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Nicotine withdrawal is a multifaceted physiological and psychological process that can induce a spectrum of mood disturbances. Gaining a more nuanced understanding of how pure nicotine withdrawal influences cognitive control functions may provide valuable insights for the enhancement of smoking cessation programs. This study investigated changes in inhibitory control function in smokers after 2-hour nicotine withdrawal using the event-related potential (ERP) technique. Participants and Methods: 28 nicotine dependence (ND) patients and 28 health controls (HCs) completed a smoking-cued Go/No-go task containing two different types of picture stimuli, smoking-cued and neutral picture stimuli. We analyzed the behavioral and ERP data using a mixed model Repeated Measure Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results: No-go trials accuracy rate (ACC) at baseline (time 1) was lower in the ND group compared to HCs with smoking-cued stimuli, and No-go trials ACC after 2-hour nicotine withdrawal (time 2) was not lower in the ND group compared to HCs. When confronted with smoking-cued stimuli, the No-go trials ACC was higher in time 2 than in time 1 in the ND group. For the ERP component, the No-go N2 amplitudes in the ND group with smoking-cued stimuli were lower than that of HCs, whereas after 2-hour nicotine withdrawal, the ND group's No-go N2 amplitudes higher than that at time 1, and did not differ from that of HCs. No-go P3 amplitudes were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: Evidenced from ERP data, ND patients have an inhibitory control dysfunction in the face of smoking cues, which is mainly manifested in the early stage of response inhibition rather than in the late stage. Two-hour nicotine withdrawal improves inhibitory control dysfunction in ND patients. The No-go N2 component is an important and sensitive neuroelectrophysiological indicator of inhibitory control function in ND patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, more than eight million people die each year as a result of tobacco use. A large proportion of smokers who want to quit are interested in alternative smoking cessation methods, of which hypnotherapy is the most popular. However, the efficacy of hypnotherapy as a tobacco cessation intervention cannot be considered sufficiently proven due to significant methodological limitations in the studies available to date. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of a hypnotherapeutic group program for smoking cessation with that of an established cognitive-behavioral group program in a randomized controlled trial. A total of 360 smokers who were willing to quit were randomly assigned to either hypnotherapy (HT) or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) at two study sites, without regard to treatment preference. They each underwent a 6 weeks smoking cessation course (one 90 min group session per week) and were followed up at regular intervals over a 12 months period. The primary outcome variable was defined as continuous abstinence from smoking according to the Russell standard, verified by a carbon monoxide measurement at three measurement time points. Secondary outcome variables were 7 days point prevalence abstinence during the 12 months follow up and the number of cigarettes the non-quitters smoked per smoking day (smoking intensity). Generalized estimating equations were used to test treatment condition, hypnotic suggestibility, and treatment expectancy as predictors of abstinence. The two interventions did not differ significantly in the proportion of participants who remained continuously abstinent throughout the follow-up period (CBT: 15.6%, HT: 15.0%) and also regarding the 7 days abstinence rates during the 12 months follow-up (CBT: 21.2%, HT: 16.7%). However, when controlling for hypnotic suggestibility, CBT showed significantly higher 7 days abstinence rates. In terms of the continuous abstinence rates, it can be concluded that the efficacy of hypnotherapeutic methods for smoking cessation seem to be comparable to established programs such as CBT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Evidence suggests that e-liquid flavor and nicotine concentration are important factors in the initiation and maintenance of e-cigarette use (vaping). Flavors may increase the initiation and maintenance of vaping, and nicotine content is a factor in e-cigarette dependence and the efficacy of e-cigarettes for cigarette smoking cessation. Few human laboratory studies have assessed the joint and interactive effects of flavor and nicotine on subjective responses to e-cigarettes. Methods Regular e-cigarette users (N = 89) completed a multi-session study involving a paced vaping procedure with e-liquid cartridges containing their preferred flavor (berry, menthol, or tobacco) or no flavor, with or without nicotine (18 mg). Subjective effects of vaping (satisfaction, reward, aversion, airway sensations, and craving relief) were assessed. Results Nicotine significantly increased psychological reward and craving relief, whereas flavor significantly increased vaping satisfaction and taste. Nicotine dependence severity moderated the effect of nicotine on reward, such that those with the greatest dependence severity reported the greatest reward. Conclusions These findings support differential and noninteractive effects of e-liquid nicotine content and flavor on reinforcing effects of e-cigarettes. Implications E-liquid flavor and nicotine content have independent, non-interactive effects on subjective responses to vaping under controlled laboratory conditions. Among regular e-cigarette users, vaping a preferred flavor increased taste and satisfaction, but did not interact with nicotine to alter reward or craving. Further research on the ways in which these subjective effects may motivate vaping behavior among different populations of e-cigarette users would be useful to inform regulatory policy of ENDS products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Childhood trauma is known to be associated with nicotine dependence, yet limited smoking outcomes have been examined and few studies have assessed associations between specific trauma subscales and smoking. Additionally, sex differences in trauma-smoking relations are understudied. This study examined associations between childhood trauma and several smoking-related outcomes in adults who smoke after overnight abstinence. Aims and Methods People who smoke (N = 205) completed self-report and biochemical assessments evaluating childhood trauma, affect, nicotine dependence, smoking urges, withdrawal, and plasma cortisol and cotinine levels. Smoking outcomes were compared between those with and without a history of moderate to severe childhood trauma among the total sample and by sex. Results Relative to those with no to minimal abuse, those with moderate to severe abuse had higher negative affect, withdrawal severity, and plasma cotinine levels. Exploratory analyses revealed that women were more likely than men to have urges to smoke for negative reinforcement and have higher withdrawal severity, but no interactions between abuse group and sex were observed. Examining specific trauma subscales, the moderate to severe emotional abuse group had more severe nicotine dependence, negative affect, and withdrawal compared to the no to minimal group. The moderate to severe sexual abuse group had more severe nicotine dependence and withdrawal compared to the no to minimal group. Conclusions Exposure to childhood trauma is associated with more severe nicotine dependence, negative affect, withdrawal, and higher plasma cotinine levels. Findings also indicate that different types of trauma may differentially affect smoking behaviors. Implications This study of adults who smoke finds that childhood trauma history may be a marker for smoking susceptibility and suggests that individuals with experiences of emotional and sexual abuse may require targeted forms of smoking cessation interventions. Moreover, findings suggest that smoking risks may differ for men and women. Findings inform public health interventions intended to reduce cigarette use in individuals with exposure to childhood trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To analyze the relationship between nicotine dependence and depression among the elderly of Dai ethnic group in Jinggu county, Yunnan Province. Methods By using the method of multi-stage stratified random sampling, 1 409 rural Dai people aged 60 and over in Jinggu county, Yunnan Province were investigated by face-to-face questionnaire. Results The current smoking rate of rural Dai elderly in Jinggu county, Yunnan Province was 18.6% (37.1% for males and 0.8% for females). The smoking rate of males was significantly higher than that of females (P < 0.01). At present, the nicotine dependence rate of smokers was 32.8% (32.4% for males and 50.0% for females). There was no significant difference in nicotine dependence among Dai elderly people of different genders (P > 0.05), age groups (P > 0.05), education (P > 0.05), and annual family per capita income (P > 0.05). The prevalence rate of depression in the surveyed population was 52.0% (49.4% for males and 54.5% for females). Multivariate Logistic regression model analysis showed that patients with nicotine dependence were more likely to suffer from depression than those without nicotine dependence (OR=1.517, 95%C%: 1.0662.158). Conclusion Nicotine dependence is positively correlated with depression in the elderly of Dai ethnic group in Yunnan Province. Taking effective measures to reduce the nicotine dependence rate of smokers is helpful to improve the mental health level of the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Oral nicotine pouches (ONPs) contain a crystalized nicotine powder instead of tobacco leaves. ONPs come in a variety of flavors and are often marketed as "tobacco-free," but research on ONP use-motivations and related experiences is limited. Aims and Methods This cross-sectional web-based survey collected self-report data on ONP use-characteristics (eg, frequency), brands and flavors used, use-motivations, dependence (Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence-Smokeless Tobacco [FTND-ST]), and ONP-related adverse events (AEs) experienced. Results The sample included 118 adults who reported current (past 30-day) ONP use. On average (SD), participants reported ONP use on 13 (6) days during the past month. Most participants (% of the sample) also reported the use of tobacco cigarettes (74%) and/or electronic cigarettes (53%) during the past month. Zyn (27%) and Lucy (19%) were the most currently used ONP brands with mint (23%) and tobacco (16%) as the most currently used flavors. The availability of preferred flavors was the most frequently reported (31%) ONP use-motivation. The sample demonstrated significant dependence levels (FTND-ST = 7, SD = 2). Reported AEs included mouth lesions (48%), upset stomach (39%), sore mouth (37%), sore throat (21%), and nausea (9%). Results should be interpreted in the context of study limitations, including using a relatively small and homogeneous online convenience sample. Acknowledging the limitations, this sample was deemed appropriate to include considering the novelty of the findings, the dearth of related research, and the necessity of examining foundational ONP use-characteristics (eg, topography, AEs); however, future research should consider recruiting larger and more generalizable samples. Conclusions The availability of preferred flavors was a key ONP use-motivation in this sample. Mint and tobacco were the most currently used flavors, with Zyn and Lucy being the most currently used ONP brands. Participants reported dependence and a substantial number of ONP-related AEs. Nationally representative surveys should investigate ONP use along with outcomes included in the current study (eg, AEs) to inform ONP surveillance and policy development efforts. Implications This study is among the first to assess reasons for initiating/maintaining ONP use as well as other relevant use-experiences (eg, AEs, dependence). These results highlight the role of flavors and nicotine dependence in ONP use, which are important considerations for informing ONP regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Of youth experiencing homelessness (YEH; 14–24 years old), 70%+ smoke combustible, commercial tobacco. Though many have tried to quit, most use ineffective methods. Drop-in centers for YEH are opportune places to link YEH to evidence-based treatment. Using the Phase-Based Model (PBM) for Cessation Research, the aim of this study was to identify "Motivation" phase-specific challenges impacting YEH's willingness to make a quit attempt—the goal of this cessation phase. Aims and Methods Surveys were interview administered with 96 past-week combusted tobacco users accessing drop-in services. Regression models were fit to confirm hypothesized challenges impacting YEH's willingness to quit. Results Moderate nicotine dependence was noted—a key Motivation phase cessation mechanism targeted—and was associated with population challenges including, but not limited to, replacing food with tobacco, accidental oxygen-deprivation events, and smoking to socialize. While 67.1% of participants made a past-year quit attempt, 45.8% expressed 30-day quit interest. Dimensions of coping with housing were associated with quit attempts and quit interest. Quit attempts were also associated with nicotine dependence, working, and smoking to socialize. Whereas, quit interest was associated with less endorsement of smoking to regulate affect and more endorsement to avoid danger. Conclusions Though common challenges targeted in Motivation phase cessation exist among YEH, other challenges may also need to be addressed to promote quitting. Implications Future research in optimizing evidence-based cessation access for YEH through drop-in centers may consider addressing the challenges of housing, food security, social context, violence, and neurotrauma sequela to bolster YEH willingness to make a quit attempt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco began in the United States as a scientific organization "to stimulate the generation and dissemination of new knowledge concerning nicotine and tobacco in all its manifestations." Now in its 30th year, the Society is taking on new challenges in tobacco control, nicotine vaping, product regulation, and public policy. Aims and Methods This Review describes the formative years of the Society from the perspective of researchers who were in leadership positions during that time, documenting how biobehavioral and clinical research in the first 10 years was a continuation of the scientific mission of the 1988 United States Surgeon General's Report on Nicotine Addiction and summarizing organizational innovations during each president's term of office. Conclusions The Society's promotion of scientific research served as a catalyst for funding, policy, and regulation, setting the stage for its influence and credibility. Implications This Commentary provides context and an overview of the scientific research and the organizational innovations that occurred during the early years of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco using publications and available documentation. The Society was able to thrive because biobehavioral research on nicotine addiction provided the scientific underpinnings for the tobacco control enterprise as a whole. The objective of this Commentary is to describe formative events in the Society's history based on the accomplishments of its early leaders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tobacco use is one of the most significant public health concerns globally as it is a risk factor for chronic illnesses. GATS-2 concluded that 28.6% of all adults currently use Tobacco in India and 17.8% in Delhi. It is important to conduct such surveys in local areas to make specific and effective action plans. Materials and Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study conducted between January 2020–June 2021 in Aliganj, an urbanized village in South Delhi. Four hundred ninety participants were enrolled using simple random sampling. The first author conducted the interview using GATS and Fagerstrom nicotine dependence test. Data was analyzed using SPSS-21. Results: Median age-35 (26.75–75.00), range-15–84 years. Of the 490 participants, 20.0% were current tobacco users (10.6% smokeless, 7.3% smoked, and 2.2% both). Among current smokers, 78.3% had low, 17.4% moderate, and 4.3% had high dependence on nicotine dependence. Among current smokeless tobacco users, 52.4% had, low, 36.5% moderate, and 11.1% had high dependence. Males had significantly higher odds [6.6 (2.9-15.1)] of tobacco use than females. Higher education [0.3 (0.2-0.8)] compared to no formal education had significantly lower odds of using tobacco. Students [0.1 (0.04-0.4)] and homemakers [0.1 (0.01-0.5)] had significantly lower odds of using tobacco as compared to those employed. Conclusions: One in every five adults is a tobacco user in Aliganj. Manufactured cigarettes, bidi, and water pipes were the most common products among smokers. Among smokeless tobacco users, the most common products were chewing tobacco gutka, and khaini. A larger proportion of smokeless tobacco users had high nicotine dependence than smoked tobacco users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to (a) describe the differences in the prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD), smoking, nicotine dependence (ND), and health conditions (physical and mental) across socioeconomic status (SES); (b) study the differences in alcohol-related characteristics (e.g., frequency, quantity); and (c) assess the association between SES with health behaviors (alcohol use, smoking) and health status. This cross-sectional study recruited participants (N = 6126) from a population registry through disproportionate stratified random sampling. Associations between SES with health behaviors and health status were examined using logistic or multinomial regressions adjusted for sociodemographic factors. Individuals in the low SES group had a higher prevalence of AUD than the high SES group (5.1% vs 4.6%). Low SES group had a higher proportion of current smokers (29.0% vs 15.2%) and those with ND (6.7% vs 3.0%). Those in the low SES group had higher prevalence of multi-morbidity (two or more chronic conditions) than the high SES group (46.8% vs 26.1%). Regression models showed that those in the low SES group had higher odds of AUD, smoking, and ND. Socio-environmental specific interventions should be strengthened in this group to promote health behaviors and early treatment entry to prevent potential health inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The only recommended screening test for lung cancer is low-dose computed tomography (also called a low-dose CT scan). Early intervention is key as it improves the chances that treatments will lead to better prognoses. Various screening programs targeting high-risk individuals showed effectiveness in reducing the disease burden. Yet, in Italy, systematic ongoing prevention and control strategies are lacking, with no government at a national level. The SMAC Trial is an optimized multi-diseases screening program, with imaging, biological indicators, economic validation, general practitioner engagement, and awareness-to-patients elements. Thirty-two subjects were diagnosed with cancer, of which 30 were lung cancers (detection rate 2.7%); fourteen were cured (stage I on final pathology). We want our trial to stimulate further discussion among policy-makers to implement our efforts. In fact, lung cancer screening extends far beyond an imaging: a well-organized and comprehensive program is vital to ensuring high-quality and timely care through screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Thus, financial incentives for lung cancer screening sites are needed, too. As new technologies continue to emerge aiming to change lung cancer patients' diagnostic and treatment journey, even more so early-detection via screening requires a continued support nationally. Background: Lung cancer screening with low-dose helical computed tomography (LDCT) reduces mortality in high-risk subjects. Cigarette smoking is linked to up to 90% of lung cancer deaths. Even more so, it is a key risk factor for many other cancers and cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. The Smokers health Multiple ACtions (SMAC-1) trial aimed to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of an integrated program based on the early detection of smoking-related thoraco-cardiovascular diseases in high-risk subjects, combined with primary prevention. A new multi-component screening design was utilized to strengthen the framework on conventional lung cancer screening programs. We report here the study design and the results from our baseline round, focusing on oncological findings. Methods: High-risk subjects were defined as being >55 years of age and active smokers or formers who had quit within 15 years (>30 pack/y). A PLCOm2012 threshold >2% was chosen. Subject outreach was streamlined through media campaign and general practitioners' engagement. Eligible subjects, upon written informed consent, underwent a psychology consultation, blood sample collection, self-evaluation questionnaire, spirometry, and LDCT scan. Blood samples were analyzed for pentraxin-3 protein levels, interleukins, microRNA, and circulating tumor cells. Cardiovascular risk assessment and coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring were performed. Direct and indirect costs were analyzed focusing on the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per quality-adjusted life years gained in different scenarios. Personalized screening time-intervals were determined using the "Maisonneuve risk re-calculation model", and a threshold <0.6% was chosen for the biennial round. Results: In total, 3228 subjects were willing to be enrolled. Out of 1654 eligible subjects, 1112 participated. The mean age was 64 years (M/F 62/38%), with a mean PLCOm2012 of 5.6%. Former and active smokers represented 23% and 77% of the subjects, respectively. At least one nodule was identified in 348 subjects. LDCTs showed no clinically significant findings in 762 subjects (69%); thus, they were referred for annual/biennial LDCTs based on the Maisonneuve risk (mean value = 0.44%). Lung nodule active surveillance was indicated for 122 subjects (11%). Forty-four subjects with baseline suspicious nodules underwent a PET-FDG and twenty-seven a CT-guided lung biopsy. Finally, a total of 32 cancers were diagnosed, of which 30 were lung cancers (2.7%) and 2 were extrapulmonary cancers (malignant pleural mesothelioma and thymoma). Finally, 25 subjects underwent lung surgery (2.25%). Importantly, there were zero false positives and two false negatives with CT-guided biopsy, of which the patients were operated on with no stage shift. The final pathology included lung adenocarcinomas (69%), squamous cell carcinomas (10%), and others (21%). Pathological staging showed 14 stage I (47%) and 16 stage II-IV (53%) cancers. Conclusions: LDCTs continue to confirm their efficacy in safely detecting early-stage lung cancer in high-risk subjects, with a negligible risk of false-positive results. Re-calculating the risk of developing lung cancer after baseline LDCTs with the Maisonneuve model allows us to optimize time intervals to subsequent screening. The Smokers health Multiple ACtions (SMAC-1) trial offers solid support for policy assessments by policymakers. We trust that this will help in developing guidelines for the large-scale implementation of lung cancer screening, paving the way for better outcomes for lung cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tobacco use is a recognized risk factor for many chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypertension, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer and microbial infections (respiratory tract infections, bacterial meningitis), etc. Material and Methods: A community-based "One group" interventional study was conducted to see the effect of cognitive behavioural therapy in reducing tobacco usage and its dependency among all the adult males population aged 18 years and above residing in Palam area of Delhi. Data was collected using a semi-structured, self-designed interview schedule to collect information from study subjects. Fagerstrom and Modified Fagerstrom questionnaire was used to assess the subject's nicotine dependence status. Result: The total population study was 274 out of which 105 were tobacco users. Out of 105,2 did not give consent for cognitive behaviour therapy.A total of 103 study subjects were given cognitive behavioral therapy and then followed at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months respectively, and analyzed for quitting at each follow-up. Study subjects who had quitted tobacco was 11 i.e. 10.6%. Change in Nicotine dependency was statistically significant. Conclusion: Cognitive behaviour therapy is found to be a very effective tool in reducing tobacco usage as well as nicotine dependency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the extent to which adolescent social network positions are associated with the risk of lifetime daily smoking and nicotine dependence (ND), and whether these associations differ by gender. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 6,267), this study estimated multinomial logistic regression models. An increase in in-degree nominations, out-degree nominations, and Bonacich centrality was associated with a lower relative risk of never smoking daily versus ever smoking daily. By contrast, adolescents with greater in-degree nominations, out-degree nominations, Bonacich centrality, and network reach in three steps were at decreased risk for lifetime ND. Gender-stratified models indicate that the negative association between network position and never smoking daily was driven largely by women, whereas the positive association between network position and lifetime ND was driven largely by men. Incorporating social network structural approaches into adolescent smoking prevention efforts may be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nicotine dependence is a disorder of the use of nicotine, which is found in tobacco smoke. A characteristic feature of this disorder is a strong internal urge to smoke, which is manifested in the deterioration of the ability to control it, increasing the priority of smoking over other types of activities, and in regular smoking, despite the harm to health or other negative consequences. After stopping or reducing the use of nicotine, withdrawal occurs, which forces one to return to smoking or turn to the use of pharmacologically similar substances. According to the World Health Organization, 36.7% of men and 7.8% of women smoke, causing more than 8.7 million deaths annually. Smoking prevalence varies greatly by race and culture, suggesting that nicotine dependence has a biological basis. Numerous twin studies have shown that genetic and environmental factors play a significant and roughly equal role in determining smoking dependence. The results of these studies also indicate that genetic and environmental factors differently determine the nature of smoking dependence in men and women. This indicates that different strategies for the prevention and treatment of tobacco dependence are needed for men and women. Currently, 44 candidate genes for nicotine dependence meet the significance criteria, which are involved in the functioning of a number of neurotransmitter systems (dopaminergic, GABA-ergic, serotonergic, glutamatergic, cholinergic), or are genes of subunits of the nicotine receptor, nicotine metabolism, signaling pathway of mitogen-activated protein kinase, etc. Currently, the most studied of them are the DRD2 gene (dopaminergic system), the CHRNA5/CHRNA3/CHRNB4 nicotinic receptor subunit gene cluster, and the CYP2A6/CYP2B6 nicotine metabolism gene cluster. In general, significant progress has been made in the study of the genetic mechanisms of nicotine dependence, but much remains unknown. Significant further efforts are needed not only to determine which genetic variants are reliably involved in this mental disorder and which mechanisms of action, but also to develop technologies to use these scientific advances to prevent and treat life-threatening nicotine dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smoking remains a primary cause of cancers, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and death. Globally, efforts have been made to reduce smoking rates, but the addictive nature of nicotine, a key component of tobacco, makes cessation challenging for smokers. Medical interventions including medical advice and pharmacotherapies are effective methods for smoking cessation. The frequency of medical interventions correlates with success in smoking cessation. This study aims to compare the characteristics of the patients who visited the smoking cessation clinic once with those who visited more than once, in order to identify factors that are associated with repeat clinic visits. A total of 81 patients who have visited the smoking cessation clinic in Kangwon National University Hospital were included. Patients answered the questionnaire at their first visit. If the patient visited only once, the outcome was defined as negative and if the patient visited more than once, the outcome was defined as positive. The proportion of patients who answered "within 5 min" to the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence's (FTND) 1st question and answered "yes" to the FTND's 6th question was higher in the negative outcome group. In the logistic regression, patients who had withdrawal symptoms previously were associated with positive outcomes (adjusted OR 3.466, 95% CI 1.088–11.034 and p value = 0.0354). Withdrawal symptoms during previous attempts were positively related to visiting the clinic more than once. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Findings from general population studies are lacking in regard to the co-occurrence of alcohol and nicotine dependence in relation to later mortality. The aim of this study was to analyze potential interactions of risky alcohol drinking, tobacco smoking, alcohol and nicotine dependence, and time until the first cigarette is smoked in the morning after awakening in the prediction of mortality. Methods: This study analyzed a random sample of the general population in Northern Germany, which comprised adults aged 18–64 years. Risky alcohol drinking, tobacco smoking, alcohol and nicotine dependence, and the time until the first cigarette in the morning after awakening were assessed for the period of 1996–1997 by applying the Munich-Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Data about all-cause mortality were gathered for the period of 2017–2018 and analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Risky alcohol drinking, tobacco smoking, alcohol and nicotine dependence, and the time until the first cigarette in the morning were associated with each other and predicted the time to death. Among participants with a former alcohol dependence, 29.59% had a current nicotine dependence. Participants who had ever been dependent on alcohol at some point in their life before and currently smoked their first cigarette in the morning within 30 min or less after awakening had a hazard ratio of 5.28 (95% confidence interval: 3.33–8.38) for early death compared to low-risk alcohol consumers who had never smoked. Conclusion: Risky alcohol drinking, tobacco smoking, alcohol and nicotine dependence, and the time until the first cigarette in the morning may have a cumulative impact on time to death. The findings suggest that it could be beneficial to provide support for quitting both risky alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking among nondependent individuals in addition to supporting remission from dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The impact of smoking habits on periodontal treatment has not been clearly elucidated. This study aimed to specify the effects of cigarette consumption and nicotine addiction on periodontal therapy.Materials and Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, 20 moderate smokers and 20 non-smokers with severe periodontitis were examined after initial diagnosis, and non-surgical active and supportive therapies for 1-6 years (mean follow-up = 3.37 years). Fagerström's test of nicotine dependence (FTND) was evaluated at re-examination. Treatment efficacy was assessed by periodontal pocket probing depth (PPD) changes and number of teeth lost per year (TL). Bayesian multilevel and regression analyses were performed at site, tooth, and patient levels.Results: During the mean follow-up period of > 3 years including active and supportive periodontal therapies, mean PPD, PPD > 3 mm and PPD > 7 mm percentage reductions were 1.03, 1.48 and 2.57 times statistically significantly less pronounced, respectively, in smokers than in non-smokers. Multilevel analysis showed that the variability of PPD > 7 mm reduction was mainly associated with patient-level factors. Smokers presented a higher risk for periodontitis progression. In smokers, periodontal parameter improvement was less pronounced in the maxilla and molars. The mean TL was related to the FTND score, not to cigarette consumption. Regression analysis did not demonstrate other influences of demographic and periodontal treatment characteristics on treatment outcomes, except patient age.Conclusion: Smoking negatively impacted periodontal treatment outcomes at specific tooth sites (deep pockets, maxillary molars) and periodontitis progression, independent of other risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nicotine dependence is a key factor influencing the diversity of gut microbiota, and targeting gut microbiota may become a new approach for the prevention and treatment of nicotine dependence. However, the causal relationship between the two is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the causal relationship between nicotine dependence and gut microbiota. Methods: A two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study was conducted using the largest existing gut microbiota and nicotine dependence genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Causal relationships between genetically predicted nicotine dependence and gut microbiota abundance were examined using inverse variance weighted, MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, weighted mode, and MR-PRESSO approaches. Cochrane's Q test, MR-Egger intercept test, and leave-one-out analysis were performed as sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of the results. Multivariable Mendelian randomization analysis was also conducted to eliminate the interference of smoking-related phenotypes. Reverse Mendelian randomization analysis was then performed to determine the causal relationship between genetically predicted gut microbiota abundance and nicotine dependence. Results: Genetically predicted nicotine dependence had a causal effect on Christensenellaceae (β: -0.52, 95% CI: -0.934--0.106, P = 0.014). The Eubacterium xylanophilum group (OR: 1.106, 95% CI: 1.004-1.218), Lachnoclostridium (OR: 1.118, 95% CI: 1.001-1.249) and Holdemania (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.001-1.167) were risk factors for nicotine dependence. Peptostreptococcaceae (OR: 0.905, 95% CI: 0.837-0.977), Desulfovibrio (OR: 0.014, 95% CI: 0.819-0.977), Dorea (OR: 0.841, 95% CI. 0.731-0.968), Faecalibacterium (OR: 0.831, 95% CI: 0.735-0.939) and Sutterella (OR: 0.838, 95% CI: 0.739-0.951) were protective factor for nicotine dependence. The sensitivity analysis showed consistent results. Conclusion: The Mendelian randomization study confirmed the causal link between genetically predicted risk of nicotine dependence and genetically predicted abundance of gut microbiota. Gut microbiota may serve as a biomarker and offer insights for addressing nicotine dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]