[pt] A qualidade de um cigarro pode ser avaliada por parâmetros físicoquímicos. A caracterização de muitos destes parâmetros é essencial para a definição dos índices utilizados por um fabricante de cigarros para acompanhamento do produto no mercado. A firmeza do cigarro é um dos parâmetros utilizados para definição desses índices, e avalia seu grau de rigidez, podendo ser definido, de uma maneira geral, como a relação entre o diâmetro final do cigarro, após a realização de um ensaio de compressão, e o diâmetro inicial. A Firmeza é função de três variáveis: deformação vertical do cigarro, produzida pela aplicação de uma força padronizada, valor especificado de umidade no fumo e circunferência média do cigarro. Com o objetivo de possibilitar a comparação entre os diversos produtos, a firmeza medida é corrigida para um valor de referência de umidade, previamente especificado, pela utilização de um modelo exponencial. Apesar deste modelo ter sido devidamente validado para os produtos Souza Cruz, e ter sido considerado aceitável para determinação da firmeza corrigida, não foram avaliadas as incertezas associadas à sua utilização. Neste trabalho, foram utilizados nos ensaios onze (11) tipos de cigarros e medida a firmeza conforme os procedimentos adotados pela empresa, previamente qualificados. O método dos mínimos quadrados foi utilizado para o desenvolvimento de modelos, juntamente com a estimativa das incertezas. Neste estudo foram avaliados também outros modelos, no sentido de se obter aquele que gerasse resultados com menores incertezas, bem como a avaliação dos parâmetros que contribuem para o aumento da incerteza de medição da firmeza corrigida. Foi concluído que as características do produto contribuem para a elevada incerteza associada, o que resulta em repetitividade não muito boa. Com base nestes resultados, sugere-se o estabelecimento de critérios de aceitação do produto, compatíveis com as incertezas associadas à medição, comparando-se com os valores de Firmeza normalmente aceitos e testados pelo mercado. / [en] Cigarette quality can be evaluated by physical and chemical parameters. Characterizing most of these parameters is essential to defining the indices cigarette manufacturers use while monitoring the product on the market. Cigarette firmness is one of the parameters used for defining these indices and evaluates cigarette degree of rigidity. Generally, it can be defined as the ratio of the final cigarette diameter, following a compression assay, to its initial diameter. Firmness is a function of three variables: cigarette upright deformation as produced by applying a standard load; specified tobacco moisture, and cigarette mean circumference. With a view to enabling comparison between several products, the measured firmness is corrected to a previously specified reference moisture value by having use of an exponential model. In spite of this model having been properly validated for Souza Cruz products and considered as acceptable for the determination of corrected firmness, the uncertainties associated with its use have not been evaluated. The trials described in this paper used eleven (11) types of cigarettes and the firmness was measured as per previously qualified procedures used by Souza Cruz. The method of minimum squares was used in the development of models jointly with uncertainty estimate. Also evaluated in this study were other models so as to achieve that which could generate results with lowest uncertainties and those parameters which contribute to increasing uncertainty of corrected firmness measurements. The conclusion was that product characteristics contribute to increasing the associated uncertainty which results in poor repeatability. On the basis of these results, it is suggested that product acceptance criteria be established that are compatible with measurement associated uncertainties by comparing these with firmness values usually accepted and tested by the market.

The purpose of this thesis is to analyse the excise duty on tobacco products in the Czech Republic since 1993 up to the present time, especially the development of rates and revenues. Excise duty is imposed on tobacco products in the Czech Republic and also in the other European Union countries. Harmonisation efforts in the European Union and also fiscal need of Czech Republic cause frequent changes in tobacco excise duty rates, which conduces not only to change of tax collection, but can also bring some other related effects. In the theoretical part I first characterize the tax theory with a detailed focus on excise duty on tobacco products. Subsequently I define the meaning of excise duty on tobacco products, the principles and the mechanisms of the tax collection. In the practical part of the thesis I aim at analyse the evolution of the legal framework that affects excise duty on tobacco products and significantly affects the thesis in other sections. Further, I analyse the relationship between the rate of excise duty on tobacco products and tax collection and find out that the higher rate of excise duty not always led to higher tax yields. Finally I assess the effectiveness of the increase of excise duty on tobacco products and its impact on the consumption of tobacco products, illegal market and the public budgets.

Title: The effect of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption on dental caries and periodontitis in adults and the relationship between alcohol intake and visceral fat in the elderly. Objectives: The aim of my master thesis was to assess the influence of alcoholic beverages and cigarette smoking on the risk of dental caries and periodontitis in adults. Another aim was to assess the relationship between alcohol intake and visceral fat in the elderly. Methods: The thesis is carried out as two independent cross-sectional studies. In the first study, gender differences were tested using the non-parametric Kolmogorov- Smirnov test. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between the amount of alcohol consumed in kg and cigarettes smoked in pcs and the risk of dental caries or periodontitis. In the second study, body composition analysis was performed using the electrical bioimpedance method. Two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to test the hypotheses. In addition, a dot plot depicting the relationship between the amount of alcohol and visceral fat was created. Results: A total of 18 respondents took part in the first study, a survey. The results showed a high statistically significant correlation between the consumption of alcoholic beverages and the risk of dental...

METHODS: Data from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) was analyzed for adults above age 40 with 3669 participants with taste and 3691 participants with smell disorders. Smoking status, based upon the history of smoking in the past 5 days was classified as ‘No tobacco smoking’, ‘E-cigs’, ‘Cigarettes’, and ‘Cigar/Hookah/Pipe’ and ‘Smokeless tobacco’. The outcome measure was having taste disorder or smell disorder determined by answering ‘yes’ to self-reported taste or smell questionnaires respectively. This information was collected by trained interviewers using the Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) system. Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done with SAS 9.4 using survey weights to account for the complex sampling design. Odds ratios (OR) for taste or smell disorder to those without the respective disorder were compared within different smoking categories. RESULTS: Individuals with taste disorders were more likely to be Mexican American, 40-49.5 yrs., with a history of persistent cold/flu, dry mouth, or cancer. Both smokeless tobacco (OR =2.59) and E-cig (OR =2.30) users showed significantly higher odds of having taste disorders compared to non-smokers. Participants with smell disorder were more likely to be female, non-Hispanic black/other Hispanics with a history of dry mouth, tonsillectomy, head injury, or sinus infections. For smell disorders, Cigar/Hookah/Pipes showed significantly higher odds compared to non-smokers (OR = 2.13). CONCLUSION: This cross-sectional study suggests that E-cigs use is significantly associated with taste disorders, whereas Cigar/Hookah/Pipe use is found to be significantly associated with higher odds of having smell disorders.

The aim of this diploma thesis is the assay of total alkaloids in different tobacco types. To measure the content of total alkaloids are utilized types of tobacco used for preparation of tobacco blends and consecutive production of cigarettes. The samples of analyzed tobacco include various countries of cultivation and different crop years. There is described tobacco as a plant, in it contained alkaloids and the utilization of tobacco in the theoretical part. In more detail it deals with the production and construction of cigarettes which is closely related to the content monitoring of total alkaloids in tobacco. The contents of total alkaloids are determined by the continuous flow analyzer- SKALAR. On this spectrophotometer are set the contens of reducing sugars as well. The comparison of total alkaloids contents and reducing sugars from the perspective of single tobacco types, countries of cultivation and crop years is clearly summarized in the experimental part of the thesis that was performed in the company Philip Morris ČR, a.s.

Background: Supporting the public health care system is a priority for any advanced society. In line with who's recommendations, a key Law on The Protection of Health Against Harmful Effects of Addictive Substances was adopted in 2017, the main priority of which is to reduce passive smoking with its negative effects on humans. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine whether there was a change in tobacco use patterns and a change in smoking cessation incentives following the introduction of new legislative changes (Act No. 65/2017 Coll.). Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out in connection with the introduction of Act No. 65/2017 Coll. Trained nurses were distributed in two waves, before the introduction of the law and three months after its introduction, prepared questionnaires were distributed to adult clients/patients addressed by general practitioners' offices in Prague. The condition was participation in both waves of the study. 131 completed adult questionnaires were submitted for subsequent processing. Changes in daily cigarette consumption, the ratio of cigarettes smoked in a restaurant, on the street, at home, and motivation to quit smoking were analysed. Results: A statistically significant reduction in daily cigarette consumption (on average 1.7 cigarettes per day)...

El propósito de esta investigación es determinar si el valor de marca en cigarrillos tiene relación con la lealtad de los consumidores de 18 a 25 años de edad, de nivel socioeconómico A y B de Lima Metropolitana. Se ha estudiado este tema, ya que existe un reto para los gerentes de las compañias más importantes de cigarrillos en el país, el cuál es que estas marcas no pueden publicitar o tienen espacios muy limitads. De esta manera con este estudio se busco encontrar de que manera logran generar valor y comprabar si tiene una relación directa con la lealtad. Luego de haber realizado este estudio mixto, se llegó a la conclusión que el valor de la marca está relacionado con la lealtad de la marca. Asimismo se comprobó que las variables: Conocimiento de marca, Actitud hacia la marca y Relación con la marca tienen una influencia positiva con la lealtad de marca. Los resultados de la investigación cualitativa fueron determinantes, ya que los entrevistados nos dieron información relevante sobre los momentos de consumo, cuales eran sus sensaciones con algunas marcas de cigarrillos y que tanto valoraban que estas generen un valor de marca. Por último, los resultados de la investigación cuantitativa nos permitió tener conclusiones propias a través de los cruzes de las variables mas importantes y logramos tener conclusiones hacia el tema. / The purpose of this investigation is to determine if the brand value in cigarettes is related to the loyalty of consumers 18 to 25 years of age, socioeconomic level A and B of Metropolitan Lima. This topic has been studied, since there is a challenge for the managers of the most important cigarette companies in the country, which is that these brands cannot advertise or have very limited spaces. In this way, this study sought to find out how they can generate value and buy if it has a direct relationship with loyalty. After having done this mixed study, it was concluded that the value of the brand is related to brand loyalty. It was also found that the variables: Brand awareness, Attitude towards the brand and Relationship with the brand have a positive influence with brand loyalty. The results of the qualitative research were decisive, since the interviewees gave us relevant information about the moments of consumption, what were their feelings with some brands of cigarettes and who valued them so much that they generate a brand value. Finally, the results of the quantitative research allowed us to have our own conclusions through the crossings of the most important variables and we managed to have conclusions on the subject. / Trabajo de investigación

A new Swedish tobacco law was decided in 2018 which originated from an EU-directive from 2014. The aim of the directive is to integrate the member states’ legislation on tobacco control and to minimize the risks of young people getting in touch with tobacco. And furthermore, the aim of the Swedish law is to minimize the negative health effects from tobacco use. This research shows that the new tobacco regulation in Sweden has led to a decrease in smoked cigarettes among students in Sweden as well as an experienced decrease in risk to be exposed to second-hand smoking. This means the new law has led to positive effects on cigarette smoking amongst students and that the aim of the law therefore is fulfilled to at least some point. The majority of the smokers have though continued to smoke as much as before, which means the legislation does not succeed to reach everyone. To reach more people, further efforts are needed. Thus, governance through legislation on EU and national level is not enough, and the problem therefore requires efforts on multilevel. To continue the decrease, Sweden should take action in educative efforts to reach broader levels in its governance.

Purpose of Review: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are gaining rapid popularity among all age groups, especially among youth. They have evolved into technologically advanced devices capable of delivering nicotine concentration and other substances. In addition to nicotine, e-cigarettes’ constituents possess variety of toxic chemicals that have adverse effects on human body. Recent Findings: In recent years, steady downward trend in tobacco usage has been observed; however, e-cigarette use is on upward trend. E-cigarettes are advertised as “safer” alternatives to conventional smoking and as an aid to smoking cessation. Emerging studies have, however, shown that e-cigarettes have harmful effects on the cardiovascular system and that most of the e-cigarette users are dual users, concurrently using e-cigarettes and smoking conventional cigarettes. Summary: Despite a gap in clinical studies and randomized trials analyzing adverse cardiovascular effects of e-cigarette use, the existing literature supports that different constituents of e-cigarettes such as nicotine, carbonyls, and particulate matters carry potential risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) on its users.

INTRODUCTION: E-cigarettes have emerged as the most commonly used tobacco or nicotine products among youth in the United States (US), and usage with other products (dual use) is not well understood. This study assessed dual use and identified associated factors of usage in school-going youth in the high tobacco burdened region of rural Appalachian Tennessee. METHODS: Two waves of data for the same cohort of students were collected in 2014 (Wave 1) and 2016 (Wave 2). Dual use of e-cigarettes with any other tobacco product was the dependent variable. The independent variables consisted of exposure to tobacco use at home, home smoking rules, smoking inside the vehicle, attitudes toward smoking, exposure to tobacco industry marketing/promotion, and peer/family pressure. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the prevalence of dual use and delineate factors associated with usage. RESULTS: Dual use increased from 13.3% in Wave 1 to 18.6% in Wave 2. Results of logistic regression show that exposure to tobacco industry marketing/promotion was significantly associated with dual use in the two waves, odds ratio (OR) = 4.18 (confidence interval [CI] = 1.69-10.38) and OR = 4.43 (CI = 2.03-9.67), respectively. While allowing smoking inside the vehicles, sometimes, significantly increased dual use in Wave 1 (OR = 3.18 [CI = 1.19-8.48]), exposure to tobacco use at home (OR = 2.94 [1.24-6.97]), and peer/family pressure (OR = 2.92 [1.87-7.19]) increased usage in Wave 2. CONCLUSION: The increasing trend in dual use of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products among youth in Appalachia Tennessee suggests a critical need for comprehensive tobacco control programs to avert exacerbating disparities in tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases in the US.