Summaries of Must-Read Clinical Literature, Guidelines, and FDA Actions

Is Cigarette Smoking on the Decline?

Study also looks at disparities

Publish date:: November 24, 2015

Cigarette smoking among adults in the US declined from nearly 21% in 2005 to 16.8% in 2014. However, disparities in smoking prevalence persist, according to 2014 national survey that included 36,697 respondents aged ≥18 years who were both current smokers (≥100 cigarettes during their lifetime) and former smokers (≥100 cigarettes during their lifetime but currently did not smoke). Results of the survey determined:

• Cigarette smoking declined a full percentage point (from 17.8% to 16.8%) from 2013 to 2014.

• In 2014, prevalence was higher among males (18.8%) than females (14.8%) and was highest among adults aged 25 to 44 years (20.0%) and lowest among persons aged ≥65 years (8.5%).

• In 2014, cigarette smoking prevalence was higher among adults on Medicaid (29.1%) and uninsured adults (27.9%) than among adults with private health insurance (12.9%).

Citation: Jamal A, Homa DM, O’Connor E, et al. Current cigarette smoking among adults – United States, 2005-2014. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) 2015;64(44):1233-1240.

Commentary: Smoking cessation and prevention is one of the great public health acheivements of the last 24 years. Over half of all adults who ever smoked have quit, and less people start smoking now than ever before. We have learned to address smoking as a part of routine visits where we emphasize both primary prevention as well as treatment of smoking addiction. Treatment uses both a behavioral approach and additionally can use nicotine replacement, Buproprion and/or Varenicline. For more information on smoking cessation, see: http://www.familypracticenews.com/?id=2633&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=440777&cHash=9b854251d67e4947db27a9dd5462b79c.¹ —Neil Skolnik, MD

1. Siu AL, et al. Behavioral and pharmacotherapy interventions for tobacco smoking cessation in adults, including pregnant women: U.S. preventive services task force recommendation statement. [Published online ahead of print September 22, 2015]. Ann Intern Med. doi: 10.7326/M15-2023.

This Week's Must Reads

Younger adults present with more advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma,

Osteoporosis prevalence in PsA similar to general population,

Annual WCC visits significantly limit asthma worsening,

U.S. mothers underestimate role breastfeeding plays in curbing breast cancer,

Microplastics permeate human placentas,

Must Reads in Pulmonology

Does daily inhaler monitoring improve asthma outcomes in children?,

COVID-19–induced drop in first measles vaccinations sparks resurgence concerns,

E-cigarette use tied to increased COPD, asthma risk,

Obesity, hypoxia predict severity in children with COVID-19,

Telehealth finds acceptance among patients with CF, clinicians,