Tobacco and Health
Volume:3 Issue: 2, Apr 2024

okha, which has been used by the Arabs of the Persian Gulf for centuries, is an alternative form of tobacco. It consists of dried tobacco leaves mixed with various spices, herbs, dried flowers, or dried fruit and leaves of native plants (such as Damas tree leaves) to enhance the flavor. It is smoked using a narrow Midwakh pipe [1-5]. A Midwakh is composed of a bowl, stem, and mouthpiece. The bowl is filled with approximately 0.1–0.15 g of Dokha per use, and smokers typically inhale the tobacco twice per turn

E-cigarettes have become popular as an alternative to traditional smoking but their long-term health effects, especially regarding cancer risk, are concerning. This review evaluates the potential carcinogenic effects of e-cigarettes, focusing on DNA damage, epigenetic changes, and tumor-promoting pathways that may promote tumor development.

A literature search on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases yielded studies on e-cigarettes and cancer risk from 2010 to 2024. The employed keywords included “e-cigarettes”, “vaping”, “cancer risk”, and “toxic chemicals”. Studies included data on e-cigarette vapor composition and health effects, excluding those on smoking cessation. Data extraction covered study design, population, e-cigarette type, usage, health outcomes, and vapor analysis. Quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

Research indicates that e-cigarettes can cause DNA damage and epigenetic changes that potentially lead to cancer. DNA methylation can alter gene expression and cause mutations, particularly in the respiratory system, increasing cancer risk. Short-term use of e-cigarettes induces lung cancer-related tumor-promoting factors and metastasis in small bronchial tubes. Nicotine inhalation from e-cigarettes can promote tumor growth by stimulating angiogenesis and inhibiting apoptosis, despite nicotine not being a carcinogen. E-cigarette vapor contains known carcinogens like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, further contributing to cancer risk.

Exposure to e-cigarette vapor causes gene expression changes and epigenetic damage similar to those from combustible cigarette smoke, potentially leading to cancer. DNA methylation can change gene expression and cause mutations, especially in respiratory cells.

Fertility plays a crucial role in population health. With the increasing use of tobacco in many societies, it is important to understand its negative effects on female fertility. Accordingly, this review explores how tobacco use may impact fertility.

This review employed scientific articles and credible sources to investigate the impact of tobacco on fertility. A comprehensive search was conducted between 2001 and 2024, using reputable academic databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science. Various articles, such as review articles, experimental studies, and observational studies, were also analyzed in this field.

Numerous studies have shown that tobacco use can have a negative impact on fertility. These effects may include a decrease in ovulation, disruption of the menstrual cycle, an increased risk of ovarian failure, and infertility.

Considering the harmful impact of tobacco consumption on fertility, it is essential to increase public awareness and focus on reducing tobacco use to safeguard fertility.

Smoking is one of the major factors causing atherosclerosis. It results in elevated blood flow and blood pressure (BP) inside vessels. Tobacco smoking in any form, due to injecting toxins into the body, causes the development of cardiovascular disorders. Accordingly, this study investigates the effects of cessation of smoking on BP changes and hypertension incidence.

In the present cohort study, we assessed 8170 male workers in good health who worked for a steel manufacturing firm and underwent professional health checkups in 2019 at the company’s healthcare centers. They were reevaluated in 2021. The variables adjusted for baseline age, cigarette smoking, body mass index, exercise, alcohol consumption, systolic or diastolic BP, family history of hypertension, and changes in the body mass index along with alcohol consumption were investigated in the follow-up phase.

The adjusted relative risks of hypertension in subjects who had quit cigarette smoking for more than 1 and 1-3 years was 0.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.2%, 1.9%) and 1.5 (95% CI, 0.8%, 2.8%) and 3.5 (95% CI, 1.7%, 7.4%) compared to the current smokers. The ascending trend of risk of hypertension for longer periods of cigarette smoking was observed in the subgroups of those who had maintained the weight as well as those who acquired high weight gain after smoking cessation.

Smoking cessation may cause elevated BP, hypertension, or both.

Smoking has many dangerous effects on health, one of which can be related to sleep. This study investigates the relationship between smoking and sleep duration in a city in the South of Iran.

This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study is a part of the Bandare-Kong non-communicable disease cohort study, conducted on 3736 participants aged 35–70 years. Sleep data and smoking were extracted through a standard questionnaire based on self-reported information. The data were analyzed via the SPSS software (version 26) using the multivariable linear regression model. Meanwhile, P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Smoking is associated with longer sleep duration for both sexes. It is recommended to conduct longitudinal studies to assess the association between sleep quality components, including sleep duration and smoking in future studies.

Smoking is among the most significant risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Despite numerous warnings about its serious complications, tobacco use remains prevalent in many communities, including among individuals with existing cardiovascular conditions. This study, which is part of a broader research, explores tobacco use among patients with a history of cardiovascular disease in Hormozgan Province, Iran, in 2023.

This was a component of a broader cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in 2023, utilizing a clustered sampling approach across 13 cities in Hormozgan Province, Iran, with a total of 6282 participants. Data collection was performed using standardized questionnaires to ensure consistency and reliability. For data analysis, the SPSS software, version 26 was utilized, along with the chi-square test to assess the associations within the data.

Among the 489 patients with a history of cardiovascular disease, 45.6% were male, of whom 55.1% reported tobacco use. Conversely, 54.4% of the patients were female, with 44.9% indicating that they used tobacco. The results showed that there was no statistically significant relationship between smoking and a history of cardiovascular disease.

Many patients with cardiovascular disease still smoke, highlighting a lack of awareness about the serious health risks of tobacco use. Strengthening education and awareness campaigns focused on smoking cessation is essential. Targeted interventions to inform these patients about the dangers of smoking could significantly improve public health outcomes and reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases

Evidence shows that environmental and social factors may influence people’s behavior and their choice to smoke hookah. This study determines the effective factors in hookah consumption behavior and designs an educational intervention program based on social cognitive theory to reduce hookah consumption among women in Bandar Abbas City, Hormozgan Province, Iran.

This semi-experimental study was conducted with two groups (intervention group and control group) using the framework of social cognition theory in women with over 15 years of hookah consumption. The sample size for each group was estimated at 120 people. They were randomly selected within 2 stages from four comprehensive health service centers (2 intervention centers and 2 control centers) in Bandar Abbas City, Iran. The tool for data collection was a researcher-made questionnaire, which was validated. The educational intervention was conducted in six face-to-face and six non-face-to-face sessions in 2 months with a three-month follow-up. One of the primary outcomes of this study was the reduction of hookah use, and the secondary outcomes included quitting hookah and changes in the determinants of hookah consumption.

The results of this study provided information about the determinants of hookah use in women, thereby helping policymakers, government, society, health professionals, and families to take necessary measures to reduce or quit smoking

Oral and dental problems can affect the quality of life (QOL) and important aspects of a person’s life by disrupting social presence and interpersonal relationships. This study evaluates the oral and dental health and QOL in patients referring to the dental diagnosis department.

This study was conducted on patients referred to the Diagnosis Department of Dental School at Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran. After receiving the code of ethics, the decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT) questionnaire was used to measure dental caries, and the shortened questionnaire from the World Health Organization (WHO) was used to measure the QOL-related to the oral health of the patients.

The participants were 74(50%) women and 74(50%) men; meanwhile, 104(70.3%) subjects were married and 100(67.6%) did not have a chronic disease and only 28 people (18.9%) were smokers. Marital status had a significant relationship with the DMFT index (P<0.05). A significant relationship existed between smoking and the two scores (DMFT index and WHO QOL brief version (WHOQOL-BREF) (P<0.05). The relationship between occupation and WHOQOL-BREF indices was not significant (P>0.05); however, the relationship was significant with the DMFT index (P<0.05).

Smoking increased tooth decay and demonstrated a decrease in the QOL. It is suggested to take measures in people who use tobacco to prevent oral and dental problems and also improve the QOL