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Introduction Alcohol has been shown to increase smoking urges and smoking behavior. However, alcohol’s effects on specific components of smoking behavior for nicotine versus non-nicotine factors and potential sex differences in this response have not been investigated. Methods Forty-two young male and female non-dependent, heavy social drinking smokers participated in two double-blind laboratory sessions. They were randomized to either an alcohol (0.8 g/kg; n = 29) or placebo (n = 13) beverage pre-administration group. After beverage consumption, they were assessed for smoking urges and then given the opportunity to smoke cigarettes which were either all nicotinized (0.6 mg/cigarette) or denicotinized (≤0.05 mg/cigarette) over a 3-h period; smoking behavior was quantified by a smoking topography device. Subjects took standardized puffs of the session’s cigarette both before and after beverage administration to provide a reference when making future smoking choices. Results Alcohol, compared with placebo beverage, increased both men’s and women’s smoking urge, as well as subjective ratings of smoking reference puffs for either nicotinized or denicotinized cigarettes. In terms of smoking choice behavior, regardless of cigarette type, alcohol (>placebo) increased men’s smoking behavior, including puff count, volume, and duration. In contrast, for women, smoking topography measures did not differ between alcohol and placebo conditions. Discussion In summary regardless of nicotine content, in men, alcohol increased smoking urge and behavior, whereas in women, alcohol increased smoking urge but did not increase smoking behavior. These results indicate that the mechanisms underlying co-use of alcohol and tobacco in women may be more complex than in men.

This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and outcomes of a culturally tailored smoking cessation intervention for HIV-positive African American male smokers. Eligible smokers were enrolled in a seven-session group-based treatment combined with nicotine patch. The mean age of participants was M=46 years. The majority were daily smokers (71%), smoked a mentholated brand (80%), and averaged 8.6 (standard deviation [SD]=8.1) cigarettes per day. Baseline nicotine dependency scores (M=5.8) indicated a moderate to high degree of physical dependence. Of the 31 participants enrolled, the majority completed treatment (≥3 sessions; 68%), 1-month follow-up (74%), and 3-month follow-up (87%) interviews. Program acceptability scores were strong. However, adherence to the patch was low, with 39% reporting daily patch use. The majority of participants (80%, n=24) made a quit attempt. Furthermore, over the course of the intervention, smoking urge, cigarettes smoked, nicotine dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and depression scores all significantly decreased. Follow-up quit rates at 1 and 3 months ranged from 6% to 24%, with treatment completers having better outcomes. This first of its kind intervention for HIV-positive African American male smokers was feasible, acceptable, and showed benefit for reducing smoking behaviors and depression scores. Smoking cessation outcomes were on par with other similar programs. A larger trial is needed to address limitations and to confirm benefits.

Purpose-The objective of this study was to determine whether adolescent smokers, who varied in their smoking histories and symptoms of nicotine dependence, exhibit any decrease in puff volume and duration similar to that typically seen in dependent adolescent and adult smokers. Moreover, we examined whether puffing trajectories were moderated by individual difference factors, as well as whether puffing topography over the course of smoking a single cigarette was predictive of an escalation in dependence symptoms.Methods-We assessed smoking topography (puff number, duration, volume, maximum flow rate [velocity], and inter-puff interval) over the course of smoking a single cigarette in a sample of 78 adolescent light smokers, using hierarchical linear modeling. We examined moderators (anxiety, depression, nicotine dependence) of the topographic trajectories, as well as whether smoking topography predicted any change in dependence over a 2-year period.Results-Puff volume and puff duration decreased over the course of smoking the cigarette, whereas puff velocity and inter-puff interval increased. Slopes for puff volume and duration were moderated by anxiety and depressive symptoms. Moreover, individuals with a less "typical" topography pattern (exhibited stable or increasing volume and duration over the course of smoking the cigarette) demonstrated a heightened dependence escalation in the subsequent 2 years.Conclusion-Our findings suggest that adolescent light smokers self-regulate nicotine during the course of smoking a single cigarette, similar to that reported in dependent adolescent and adult smokers. However, single cigarette self-regulation was influenced by certain affective factors. Implications of these findings and future directions for adolescent smoking research are discussed. KeywordsAdolescence; Smoking; Dependence; Topography Most teenagers will attempt smoking a cigarette at least once before graduating from high school. Indeed, despite recent declines in regular cigarette use among adolescents, 20% of 12th graders reported smoking in the past month [1]. Therefore, identification of adolescents who are at a greater risk of progression to nicotine dependence represents a critical target for public health research [2,3]. The marked relationship between smoking and comorbid mental health problems (e.g., depression, anxiety) is also of concern, particularly among adolescents dependent on nicotine [4,5].Experts in the field have encouraged research on adolescent smoking to address questions at multiple levels of analysis, including social and demographic factors that promote smoking, as well as situational influences [2,3]. The following questions should therefore be framed to address the issue: (1) who is most likely to initiate smoking?; (2) what contexts (both intrapersonal and interpersonal) are associated with smoking?; (3) when are adolescents motivated to smoke?; and (4) what are some of the etiological factors associated with why adolescents make the decision to smoke? Far less research, ...

Increased acculturation leads to substance use and this relationship is partially mediated by discrimination (Sobel test = 2.10; p < .05). CONCLUSIONS/IMPORTANCE: Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed. Funding was provided by several women's and public health organizations.