Smoking

Vaping now more common than smoking among young people – and the risks go beyond lung and brain damage

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Flavor, Nitrosamine, Temperature, Health, Bronchiolitis obliterans, Brain, Herbal cigarette, Learning, Tobacco, Nicotine, Inhalation, Research, Self-control, Cancer, University, Food, Life, Adolescence, Asthma, Diacetyl, Electronic cigarette, World Health Organization, Smoking, Polonium, Fruit, Safety, Chocolate, Cotinine

This echoes research that has found the popularity of vaping among young people in the UK has surged in recent years.

Key Points: 
  • This echoes research that has found the popularity of vaping among young people in the UK has surged in recent years.
  • But vaping comes with many risks to young people, including harm to the lungs and brain.
  • Young people who vape may be more likely to start smoking and find it harder to quit any nicotine use at all.
  • And using vaping products alongside other products containing nicotine, like cigarettes, for example, may be even worse for their health.

Hidden risks

  • There are many less obvious risks to vaping too.
  • The chemicals in vape liquids – including various toxins, heavy metals and possibly even radioactive polonium – may be harmful.
  • This could be because of the specific mix of ingredients different brands put in the vape liquid.
  • Even if a vape liquid is advertised as being nicotine-free, it might still contain chemicals called nitrosamines, which are known to cause cancer.

Is a ban on disposable vapes enough?

  • The forthcoming ban on disposable vapes in England, Scotland and Wales may not be enough to deal with the problem.
  • With more than 400 vape brands already on the market, a more comprehensive approach is needed.


Amira Guirguis does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Cannabis legalization has led to a boom in potent forms of the drug that present new hazards for adolescents

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Research, Solvent, Epilepsy, Brain, Oil, Herbal cigarette, Schizophrenia, Powder, Delusion, Drug, Risk, Electronic cigarette, CBD, Pregnancy, Nature, Protein, Psychology, Systematic review, Cannabis, Adolescence, Dry ice, Smoking, System, Hallucination, Water, Pain management, THC, Beer, Cannabidiol

When other drugs would occasionally come up, I didn’t understand some of the slang terms they used for these drugs.

Key Points: 
  • When other drugs would occasionally come up, I didn’t understand some of the slang terms they used for these drugs.
  • Many people may have that feeling now when the topic of cannabis comes up – especially in its different and newer forms.
  • A major change during my time in research is the legalization and explosion of cannabis availability across the U.S.

A shifting landscape

  • It also serves as a catch-all term for any substance with chemical compounds from cannabis plants and addresses concerns that the word marijuana has some long-standing racist overtones.
  • Cannabis now comes in a larger variety of forms than it used to.
  • These include oils that can be vaporized by vape or dab pens, waxier substances and even powders.

How cannabis derivatives interact with the brain

  • Each one interacts with the brain in different ways, producing different perceived effects.
  • The differences between THC and CBD come from how they interact with cannabinoid receptors – the proteins onto which these drugs attach – in the brain and body.

The changing nature of cannabis products

  • By increasing the amount of THC, concentrated products can increase blood levels of THC rapidly and more strongly than nonconcentrates such as traditional smoked cannabis.
  • Cannabis concentrates also come in many different forms that range from waxy or creamy to hard and brittle.
  • They are made in a variety of ways that may require dry ice, water or flammable solvents such as butane.
  • The myriad names for cannabis concentrates can be confusing.

Cannabis use and adolescents

  • A 2021 systematic review found that past-year cannabis vaping nearly doubled from 2017 to 2020 in adolescents - jumping from 7.2% to 13.2%.
  • In addition, a 2020 study found that one-third of adolescents who vape do so with cannabis concentrates.
  • Cannabis use by adolescents is scary because it can alter the way their brains develop.
  • Adolescents who use cannabis are also more likely to experience symptoms of schizophrenia, struggle more in school and engage in other risky behaviors.
  • This article is part of Legal cannabis turns 10, a series examining the impact of a decade of recreational cannabis use.


Ty Schepis receives funding from US Food and Drug Administration and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. His research is also supported by a faculty fellowship from the Texas State University Translational Health Research Center.

Draft guideline on good agricultural and collection practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin - Revision 1

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Reproduction, SCOPE, Eating, Pesticide, Convention, Change control, Confusion, Alkaloid, Climate, Fungus, Directive (European Union), Ethylene oxide, Wind, Wood, Glass, European Medicines Agency, HMPS, QDG, Hygiene, Water, Marketing, Fertilizer, Legislation, Manure, Distillation, Risk, Education, Committee, Compost, Draft, Policy, Person, EMA, Seed, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, Collection, Freezing, GMP, Risk assessment, GACP, Sunlight, Fermentation, Personal protective equipment, Animal, Herbal, Herbicide, Weather, INTRODUCTION, Documentation, Regeneration, Decontamination, EudraLex, Disease, International trade, European Pharmacopoeia, Part, Livestock, Public, Inhalation, Knowledge, Seedling, Factorization of polynomials, Record, Plant, Skin, API, Irrigation, Part Two, Soil, Directive, Pharmacopoeia, Codex, Guideline, Temperature, Attention, Hydrocarbon, Pyrrolizidine alkaloid, Polychlorinated biphenyl, Growth, Rotation, Incineration, Environment, Humidity, Smell, Ventilation, Light, Bird, Mineral, Fumigation, Pyrrolizidine, SOP, Housing, Smoking, Atmosphere, Postharvest, Rain, Liver, QWP, Medicinal plants

REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................... 14

Key Points: 
    • REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................... 14

      29

      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 3/14

      30

      EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

      31
      32
      33
      34
      35
      36

      This guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin

      37

      1.

    • Due to the inherent
      complexity of medicinal plants and herbal substances the quality of these starting materials requires an
      adequate quality assurance system for the collection and/or cultivation, harvest, and primary
      processing.
    • (either outdoor, indoor or in greenhouses) should be carefully considered, since each of the mentioned
      types could have several problems and advantages.
    • The used cultivation method may be dependent on
      the final application of the herbal medicinal product.
    • primary processing of herbal substances that are used for the preparation of herbal medicinal products.
    • medicinal plants and herbal substances, ensuring that they are handled appropriately throughout all
      stages of cultivation, collection, processing and storage.
    • their preparations are exposed to a large number of environmental contaminants of both biotic and
      abiotic origin.
    • to existing wildlife habitats and must adhere to CITES (Convention on International Trade in
      Endangered species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
    • https://health.ec.europa.eu/document/download/bd537ccf-9271-4230-bca1-2d...
      4 https://health.ec.europa.eu/document/download/fd318dd6-2404-4e67-82b0232...
      3

      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 5/14

      104

      4.

    • Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

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      148
      149

      8.

    • Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

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      7.

    • Where possible, stable varieties and cultivars naturally
      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 8/14

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      228

      resistant or tolerant to disease should preferably be used.

    • Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 9/14

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      269
      270
      271
      272
      273

      The application should be carried out only by qualified staff using approved equipment.

    • The following should be noted:

      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 10/14

      309
      310

      ?

      311
      312
      313

      ?

      314
      315
      316
      317

      ?

      318
      319
      320

      ?

      321
      322

      ?

      323
      324
      325

      ?

      326
      327
      328

      ?

      Damaged plants or plant parts need to be excluded or limited in accordance with a specific
      pharmacopoeia monograph, where relevant.

    • Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 11/14

      347
      348

      directly to the sun (except in cases where there is a specific need) and must be protected from
      rainfall, insect infestation, etc.

    • The label must be clear, permanently fixed and made from

      6

      Reflection paper on the use of fumigants (EMEA/HMPC/125562/2006)

      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 12/14

      386
      387

      non-toxic material.

    • Certain exudates that have not been subjected to a specific treatment are

      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 13/14

      425
      426
      427

      also considered to be herbal substances.

    • European Pharmacopoeia General Monograph ?HERBAL DRUGS? 07/2017:1433

      Are obtained by subjecting herbal substances to treatments such as
      extraction, distillation, expression, fractionation, purification, concentration
      or fermentation.

Draft guideline on good agricultural and collection practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin - Revision 1

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Reproduction, SCOPE, Eating, Pesticide, Convention, Change control, Confusion, Alkaloid, Climate, Fungus, Directive (European Union), Ethylene oxide, Wind, Wood, Glass, European Medicines Agency, HMPS, QDG, Hygiene, Water, Marketing, Fertilizer, Legislation, Manure, Distillation, Risk, Education, Committee, Compost, Draft, Policy, Person, EMA, Seed, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, Collection, Freezing, GMP, Risk assessment, GACP, Sunlight, Fermentation, Personal protective equipment, Animal, Herbal, Herbicide, Weather, INTRODUCTION, Documentation, Regeneration, Decontamination, EudraLex, Disease, International trade, European Pharmacopoeia, Part, Livestock, Public, Inhalation, Knowledge, Seedling, Factorization of polynomials, Record, Plant, Skin, API, Irrigation, Part Two, Soil, Directive, Pharmacopoeia, Codex, Guideline, Temperature, Attention, Hydrocarbon, Pyrrolizidine alkaloid, Polychlorinated biphenyl, Growth, Rotation, Incineration, Environment, Humidity, Smell, Ventilation, Light, Bird, Mineral, Fumigation, Pyrrolizidine, SOP, Housing, Smoking, Atmosphere, Postharvest, Rain, Liver, QWP, Medicinal plants

REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................... 14

Key Points: 
    • REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................... 14

      29

      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 3/14

      30

      EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

      31
      32
      33
      34
      35
      36

      This guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin

      37

      1.

    • Due to the inherent
      complexity of medicinal plants and herbal substances the quality of these starting materials requires an
      adequate quality assurance system for the collection and/or cultivation, harvest, and primary
      processing.
    • (either outdoor, indoor or in greenhouses) should be carefully considered, since each of the mentioned
      types could have several problems and advantages.
    • The used cultivation method may be dependent on
      the final application of the herbal medicinal product.
    • primary processing of herbal substances that are used for the preparation of herbal medicinal products.
    • medicinal plants and herbal substances, ensuring that they are handled appropriately throughout all
      stages of cultivation, collection, processing and storage.
    • their preparations are exposed to a large number of environmental contaminants of both biotic and
      abiotic origin.
    • to existing wildlife habitats and must adhere to CITES (Convention on International Trade in
      Endangered species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
    • https://health.ec.europa.eu/document/download/bd537ccf-9271-4230-bca1-2d...
      4 https://health.ec.europa.eu/document/download/fd318dd6-2404-4e67-82b0232...
      3

      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 5/14

      104

      4.

    • Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 6/14

      147
      148
      149

      8.

    • Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 7/14

      185

      7.

    • Where possible, stable varieties and cultivars naturally
      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 8/14

      227
      228

      resistant or tolerant to disease should preferably be used.

    • Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 9/14

      268
      269
      270
      271
      272
      273

      The application should be carried out only by qualified staff using approved equipment.

    • The following should be noted:

      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 10/14

      309
      310

      ?

      311
      312
      313

      ?

      314
      315
      316
      317

      ?

      318
      319
      320

      ?

      321
      322

      ?

      323
      324
      325

      ?

      326
      327
      328

      ?

      Damaged plants or plant parts need to be excluded or limited in accordance with a specific
      pharmacopoeia monograph, where relevant.

    • Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 11/14

      347
      348

      directly to the sun (except in cases where there is a specific need) and must be protected from
      rainfall, insect infestation, etc.

    • The label must be clear, permanently fixed and made from

      6

      Reflection paper on the use of fumigants (EMEA/HMPC/125562/2006)

      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 12/14

      386
      387

      non-toxic material.

    • Certain exudates that have not been subjected to a specific treatment are

      Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for starting materials of herbal origin
      EMA/HMPC/246816/2005

      Page 13/14

      425
      426
      427

      also considered to be herbal substances.

    • European Pharmacopoeia General Monograph ?HERBAL DRUGS? 07/2017:1433

      Are obtained by subjecting herbal substances to treatments such as
      extraction, distillation, expression, fractionation, purification, concentration
      or fermentation.

Most Smoking Employees Gain Over Three Weeks of Paid Time Off Through Smoke Breaks According to New Study

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Research, Telecommunications, Smoker, Smoking, Environment, Tobacco

The study underscores the importance of promoting productive breaks among employees that do not significantly disrupt the workday.

Key Points: 
  • The study underscores the importance of promoting productive breaks among employees that do not significantly disrupt the workday.
  • The study also showed that smoking at work exacerbates the difficulty of quitting, with over 60% of respondents citing workplace smoking as a barrier.
  • “The study revealed high smoking rates in industries such as retail, catering and leisure, IT and telecommunications, and healthcare.
  • To learn more about the global transformation of inspiring smokers to conscious enjoyment and explore smoke-free alternatives available across the US, visit www.nicokick.com .

Smith+Nephew’s PICO™ Single Use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System provides better clinical outcomes versus standard of care according to UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 4, 2024
RCT, Pressure, Diabetes, Risk, Globalization, Patient, Area studies, Kidney disease, PICO, Senior, Smoking, Christianity in Singapore, SNN, BMI, Pharmaceutical industry

Smith+Nephew (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN), the global medical technology company, today announces the review of medical technologies guidance from the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for its PICO Single Use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System (sNPWT).

Key Points: 
  • Smith+Nephew (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN), the global medical technology company, today announces the review of medical technologies guidance from the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for its PICO Single Use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System (sNPWT).
  • NICE have reviewed ‘Medical Technology Guideline 43 PICO negative pressure wound dressings for closed surgical incisions’ which recognises that Smith+Nephew’s PICO sNPWT provides better clinical outcomes than standard dressings in patients at high risk of surgical site infections (SSIs), at similar overall cost.
  • The 24 clinical studies included a total of 7,790 patients with PICO sNPWT being used in 3,754.
  • NICE concluded that PICO sNPWT is associated with fewer SSIs and seromas compared with standard wound dressings.

Achieve Life Sciences Reports Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2023 and Provides Corporate Update

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Research, Herbal cigarette, Exercise, Webcast, Risk, International, Nicotine, NDA, Society, Abstract, Smoking, Safety, FDA, Food, Pharmaceutical industry

Results presented from the Phase 3 participant surveys, showed that 69% of survey respondents who received cytisinicline reported quitting smoking completely.

Key Points: 
  • Results presented from the Phase 3 participant surveys, showed that 69% of survey respondents who received cytisinicline reported quitting smoking completely.
  • For those on treatment that did not achieve full smoking abstinence, 22% reported a reduction of their smoking by over half.
  • Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023 were $4.4 million and $27.3 million, respectively.
  • Total net loss for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023 was $5.5 million and $29.8 million, respectively.

Qnovia, Inc. Announces the Appointment of Four New Members to its Scientific Advisory Board

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Science, Biotechnology, Research, Pharmaceutical, Health, Tobacco, Clinical Trials, Retail, Disease, Cardiovascular Research, Society, IND, Psychology, Therapy, Senior counsel, Population health, School, Dean (education), Partnership, Nicotine, Policy, Smoker, Behavior, NIH, Brown University, Trial of the century, University, SAB, Pharmacology, Homelessness, San Francisco General Hospital, UCSF, Public, Cancer, MD, Publication, Heated tobacco product, Hospital, Juul, FDA, Alpert Medical School, Pregnancy, Chair, Public health, University of Kansas, Cardiology, CTA, Mortality, Louisiana State University, Doctor of Philosophy, MHRA, Smoking, Toxicology, Division, Brown, Social science, Pharmaceutical industry

“We believe our proprietary drug-device combination platform has the potential to be a first-in-class and best-in-class treatment for smoking cessation.

Key Points: 
  • “We believe our proprietary drug-device combination platform has the potential to be a first-in-class and best-in-class treatment for smoking cessation.
  • Last fall, QN-01 demonstrated a superior pharmacokinetic profile compared to existing nicotine replacement therapies in our first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trial.
  • We plan to submit our IND and CTA to the regulatory bodies and look forward to commencing our Phase 1/2 clinical study this year.
  • He also served a three-year term on the Board of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco.

Innovation Meets Regulation: International Webinar Explored Effective Anti-Smoking Strategies

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Retail, Other Communications, Public Policy, Technology, Marketing, Consulting, Advertising, Communications, Professional Services, Government, Tobacco, Science, Other Science, Internet, Research, Failure, Tax, Herbal cigarette, Innovation, European Parliament, Risk, Public, Smoker, Policy, Smoke, MEP, Death, Smoking, European, Multimedia, Carcinogen

We Are Innovation hosted the webinar “ Innovation Meets Regulation: The 2024 Effective Anti-Smoking Policies Global Index .” This powerful talk embarked on the official start of the campaign dedicated to the launch of the anti-smoking index .

Key Points: 
  • We Are Innovation hosted the webinar “ Innovation Meets Regulation: The 2024 Effective Anti-Smoking Policies Global Index .” This powerful talk embarked on the official start of the campaign dedicated to the launch of the anti-smoking index .
  • The webinar, featuring Members of the European Parliament, regulatory experts, economists, and innovation experts, shed light on the regulatory frameworks regarding anti-smoking policies from the most prominent global authorities in the field.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240408705665/en/
    Federico N. Fernández stated, “At We Are Innovation, we work on issues that require innovative approaches and solutions.
  • By embracing a forward-thinking approach, we can effectively address the problem of smoking,” summed up Tetiana Rak.

New Virtual Companionship Program from Homethrive Tackles Social Isolation and Empowers Older Adults

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Research, Depression, Health, Obesity, Trust, Ageing, Social isolation, Transport, Anxiety, Death, Loneliness, Smoking, Safety, Tourism

NORTHBROOK, Ill., April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Homethrive, a high-tech, high-touch family caregiving support platform, today announced the launch of its Virtual Companionship solution that will help address the issue of social isolation and loneliness among older adults.

Key Points: 
  • NORTHBROOK, Ill., April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Homethrive, a high-tech, high-touch family caregiving support platform, today announced the launch of its Virtual Companionship solution that will help address the issue of social isolation and loneliness among older adults.
  • Research shows nearly one-fourth of U.S. adults aged 65 and older are socially isolated.
  • The health impact of this isolation can rival the consequences of smoking , obesity and low physical activity.
  • "America is experiencing a loneliness epidemic, and older adults are among the most vulnerable," said David Greenberg, co-founder and co-CEO of Homethrive.