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Rolling Tobacco in Banana Leaves, Newspaper, or Copybook Paper Associated With Significant Reduction in Lung Function in Vanuatu

Authors :
Howard Silverman
Gwang Lee
Kelsey N. Dancause
Akira Kaneko
Charles A. Weitz
Cheng Sun
J. K. Lum
Chim W. Chan
Alysa Pomer
Kathryn M Olszowy
Len Tarivonda
Ralph M. Garruto
Source :
Asia-Pacific journal of public health. 29(3)
Publication Year :
2017

Abstract

In addition to the widespread availability of packaged cigarettes, the inhabitants of island nations of the Southwest Pacific frequently smoke commercially available loose tobacco using manufactured rolling papers, as well as locally grown tobacco rolled in manufactured rolling paper or wrapped in leaves, copybook paper, and newspaper. In this study, Vanuatu men who smoked local tobacco rolled in leaves, copybook paper, or newspaper showed significantly lower forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC ratios than men who smoked packaged cigarettes, store-bought tobacco rolled in manufactured rolling paper, or who smoked locally grown tobacco rolled in manufactured rolling papers. The addition of toxins from these unusual tobacco-wrapping media produces lung function deficits similar to the pattern noted among tobacco smokers who also inhale smoke from burning biomass. Thus, public health initiatives should consider including strategies addressing the use of wrapping media among smokers in South Pacific island societies.

Details

ISSN :
19412479
Volume :
29
Issue :
3
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Asia-Pacific journal of public health
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....5422439883d2e8daa618cab925831522