Smoking and the eye: what Québec teenagers know and fear

Adolescents' Perceptions and Attitudes towards Traditional and Electronic Cigarettes-Results of Focus Group Interviews

There is general agreement among scholars and policymakers that efforts to reduce smoking and prevent nicotine use should be intensified and focused on the most vulnerable part of society-adolescents. Regardless of common knowledge about the health consequences of smoking, according to data from 2020, about 51% of children in Poland had their first contact with smoking at the age of 15 and older. The objective of this research is to investigate motivations to start smoking or vaping, patterns of using tobacco products, perceptions of smoking/vaping and smokers/vapers, as well as attitudes toward nicotine addiction. The broad aim is to reflect on youth perceptions of nicotine use. A qualitative approach has been applied, utilising focus-group interviews. The sample included six focus groups, consisting of smokers and non-smokers of both genders, situated in three different cities in Poland. The interviewees were adolescents ages 16-18, attending high schools, technical schools, or vocational education. Interviews were transcribed and further analysed using the thematic analysis approach. This research enhances previously reported results by revealing new insights into the strategies applied by adolescents to mitigate financial barriers arising from high costs of nicotine products, as well as highlighting methods used to avoid the traditional antismoking messages placed on packaging.

Association Between Tobacco Consumption and Self-Reported Visual Impairment in Adults of High-Altitude Andean Communities of Peru

To determine the association between tobacco consumption and self-reported visual impairment. We performed a cross-sectional study based on an original cohort study. A non-probabilistic sampling was performed to invite 413 patients of 60 years or more from 11 high-altitude Andean communities (altitude higher than 1500 m above sea level) of Peru between 2013 and 2017. Demographic data and information on tobacco consumption were collected. Associations were determined using a Poisson regression model with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Of the 413 participants, 141 (34.14%) were men and 49 (11.86%) were tobacco users. In the adjusted model, tobacco users presented a high probability of visual impairment with a prevalence ratio of 1.32 (95% CI: 1.18–1.97). We also found that having two or more comorbidities 2.19 (95% CI: 1.53–3.15), receiving health assistance in a pharmacy 3.75 (95% CI: 1.97–7.16), and coffee consumption 1.67 (95% CI: 1.26–2.21) were factors significantly associated with self-reported visual impairment. We determined that in Peruvian high-altitude Andean communities, visual impairment was more frequent in individuals reporting tobacco consumption, taking alternative medicine, going directly to a drug store without primary care physician consultation, having more than one comorbidity, and coffee consumption.

Seeing New Opportunities to Help Smokers Quit: A UK National Survey of Optometrist-Delivered Smoking Cessation Behavioral Support Interventions

BACKGROUND

Smoking is a risk factor for various eye conditions. Brief smoking cessation interventions have demonstrated effectiveness when delivered by a range of health care professionals. Optometrists are well placed in the community to advise otherwise healthy smokers to quit, yet remain relatively neglected in smoking cessation research and policy. In a national survey, this study investigated self-reported practices of UK optometrists for delivering brief tobacco smoking cessation interventions to patients.

METHODS

A randomly selected sample of 1200 optometrists out of the 9000 optometrists registered on the UK College of Optometrists database were invited to complete a 40-item, web-based survey assessing: training related to smoking cessation, current practice (ie, the proportion of patients to which components of very brief advice [Ask, Advise, Assist] and other evidence-based smoking cessation behavior change techniques were delivered), and barriers/enablers to intervention delivery.

RESULTS

In total, 408 (34%) responses were received. Most (83%) optometrists received no training in practical skills for delivering smoking cessation support. A third (34%) routinely assessed smoking status. Fewer self-reported advising smokers to quit (22%), offering assistance (via referral to dedicated services) (3%), or advice on smoking cessation medications (2%). Perceived barriers included insufficient knowledge/training (81%) and time (65%). Optometrists were more likely to assess and advise on smoking cessation if they practiced in Scotland, χ2(2) = 32.95, p < .001; an independent optometry practice, χ2(1) = 4.27, p = .39; or had received smoking cessation training, χ2(1) = 13.1, p < .001.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial gaps exist in UK optometrists' current smoking cessation training and practice. Evidence-based training resources are needed to support the implementation of smoking cessation interventions into routine optometry practice.

IMPLICATIONS

Optometrists are well placed in the community to deliver brief advice interventions to a large population of smokers. This survey provides a comprehensive description of current UK optometry practice related to the provision of evidence-based brief tobacco smoking cessation interventions to patients. Although optometrists perceive advising on smoking cessation as part of their role, numerous substantial gaps in current practice and training remain, which need to be addressed through targeted interventions to increase implementation.