MDQuit News Archives - January, 2007

Chantix by Pfizer studies show strong results -- January 31, 2007
In a review of six large trials, the nicotine receptor agonist (varenicline) is associated with higher quit-rates than anti-depressants and no medication treatment.  
Click here for the full story. 

Nicotine Vaccine: A new vaccine to prevent nicotine addiction has received good reviews in a recent clinical trial with 68 healthy smokers.¹ Researchers found NicVAX to be safe and well tolerated, with only minor side effects comparable to those of a placebo. The vaccine prevents nicotine from reaching the brain by triggering the production of antibodies that bind to nicotine in the blood. Healthy smokers in the 38-week clinical trial did not experience cravings or withdrawal symptoms, nor did they increase the number of cigarettes smoked during the trial or at follow-up.
References
¹ Hatsukami, D. et al. (2005). Safety and immunogenecity of a nicotine conjugate vaccine in current smokers. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 78, 456-467.

Statewide poll: 70% of Marylanders support smoking ban in bars and restaurants -- January 31, 2007
24% opposed the ban, and the remainder were undecided.  This poll of 809 registered voters included questions about various topics on the political agenda for Maryland this year.
Click here for the full story. 

Research links specific brain region to smoking urge -- January 26th, 2007
While nicotine addiction and recovery is certainly a complex process, the urge to smoke may be centralized in one, small region deep within the brain and may even function like an on/off switch.  Researchers at the University of Southern California and the University of Iowa found that several stroke victims with damage to the insula no longer felt the urge to smoke.  While it is uncertain how these findings will affect nicotine addiction treatment, it raises questions about the biology of nicotine and brain functioning, and drug companies like Pfizer are interested.
Read the full stories in the New York Times.

Gaylord hotels to ban smoking, including new resort in Prince George's County -- January 9th, 2007
Following announcements of smoking bans by Marriott and other, large hotel chains, Gaylord Hotels which operates over 7,000 rooms across the country and owns the Grand Ole Opry will initiate a smoking ban next month.  Their fourth resort hotel in Prince George's County will open smokefree in 2008. 
Click here for the full story.