Current Research Projects
ESPAD 2019 Project - TFRI Press Release 16 November 2020
TobaccoFree Research Institute Ireland (TFRI): ESPAD Ireland 2019 Survey
(European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs)
The Irish ESPAD Full Report can be found here and the Irish ESPAD Summary Report here:
News Release
Main Findings
· The decline in smoking has halted in Irish teens for the first time in 25 years (14%), and has significantly increased to 16% in boys while declining slightly to 13.6 in girls
Dramatic increase in e-cigarette use, especially among boys 39% have tried AND 16% are current users
· Slight increase in drinking and heavy episodic ‘binge’ drinking
· Almost 1 in 5 has tried cannabis and 1 in 10 is a current user
· More than a third spend more than 6 hours on non-school days on social media
· Boys (23%) more likely than girls (7%) to have gambled
Smoking Smoking remains a notable issue for adolescents. 32% of respondents had tried smoking and 14% were current smokers, with 5% smoking daily. The majority (63%) of students reported starting to smoke at age 14 or 15. Equally, the majority (61%) reported that it was easy to access cigarettes. Our trend analyses showed that, despite a reduction of over two thirds since 1995, more students reported smoking in 2019 than in 2015, and this was pronounced for boys.
E-Cigarettes Almost four in 10 students (39%) had tried e-cigarettes and almost one in 6 (16%) were current users, making both ever-use and current use of e-cigarettes higher than use of combustible cigarettes. Boys (46%) were more likely than girls (33%) to have tried e-cigarettes and also to be current users (22% vs 12%). Only 3% said that it was “to stop smoking cigarettes”. More than two-thirds of respondents (68%) had never smoked cigarettes, and only 9% smoked regularly when first using e-cigarette
Professor Luke Clancy, Director General of the TFRI said “this increase in smoking, which had been declining for 25 years, is major concern and a serious threat to Tobacco Free Ireland 2025 “We are currently examining the reasons for this increase”, he said, “including the role of e-cigarettes”.
Alcohol Some 73% of respondents had tried alcohol and 41% were current users (previous 30 days), while 16% reported having been drunk in the previous 30 days. As in previous surveys, age 15 years (52%) was the most common age at which students first drank alcohol, followed by age 14 (28%). Since 1995, when Ireland first participated in ESPAD, there has been a significant reduction in alcohol consumption among students aged 15-16 years. However, our trend analyses in this wave indicate that, since 2015, there has been a slight increase in current alcohol use and also in heavy episodic drinking.
Cannabis Cannabis was the most-used illicit drug with almost one student in 5 (19%) having tried cannabis and almost one in 10 (9%) having used it in the previous 30 days. Boys were more likely than girls to be users, and girls were more likely to perceive risk in regular or occasional cannabis use. More boys (22%) than girls (13%) had also tried unsuccessfully to stop using cannabis. Access to cannabis was reported as fairly or very easy by 42% of students.
Other substances (inhalants, cocaine, ecstasy)
Our trend analyses showed that, between 2015 and 2019, there were no changes in the use of cannabis, inhalants and tranquilizers. However, we observed a decrease in the use of illicit drugs other than cannabis.
Gambling Boys much more likely to have gambled – betting on sports or animals was the most common gambling activity. The majority (84%) of respondents had not gambled in the previous 12 months. Gambling is a particularly gendered activity. More boys (23%) than girls (7%) reported that they had gambled in the previous 12 months. The Lie/Bet questionnaire, a two-question screening tool was used to evaluate problem gambling behaviour. Of those who had gambled in the previous 12 months (n=300), 26% reported that they had felt the need to bet more and more money, and 12% reported that they had to lie to people important to them about how much they gambled.
Internet and gaming activities Among 15-16 year olds, more than a third spend more than 6 hours on social media on non-school days.
More than a third of respondents (37%) spent 2-3 hours on social media on a typical school day, and even more (39%) spent more than 6 hours on social media on a typical non-school day. Significant gender differences were observed for non-school day internet use with girls (98%) spending more hours on social media than boys (96%) did. Problem internet use was assessed with three item statements and a majority of students either strongly agreed (26%) or partly agreed (37%) that they spend too much time on social media. Regarding gaming, during the previous 30 days. 44% spent some time playing games on a school day and 56% spent some time playing games on a typical non-school day. More boys (84%) than girls (29%) spent time playing games on a typical non-school day
Dr Joan Hanafin, Director of Social Research, TFRI said, “Taken together, these findings provide strong evidence of the greater risk-taking among adolescent boys that has been identified in 30 years of research on men and masculinities. It is important that health education programmes take account of gender differences in substance use and of boys’ gambling patterns.”
Trends visible in Irish data
In the past 25 years, ESPAD surveys of 15-16-year olds in Ireland have reported major reductions in alcohol consumption, smoking and the use of many substances. The largest reductions have been in the use of illicit drugs which, fell by 69% and in cigarette smoking which fell by 66%. In the same period there has been a 41% decrease in alcohol consumption and a 30% reduction in heavy episodic [‘binge’] drinking. Across Europe, smoking and drinking among 15–16-year-old school students are showing signs of decline. The Irish study, carried out for the Department of Health, in collaboration with ESPAD Europe and the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA), is based on a 2019 survey of 1967 students born in 2003. This is the seventh data-collection wave conducted by the ESPAD project since 1995, with data collected every 4 years in more than 35 countries.
The full and summary reports are available to download at www.tri.ie
Notes: Full Report Details: Salome Sunday, Sheila Keogan, Joan Hanafin, Luke Clancy (2020). ESPAD 2019 Ireland: Results from the European Schools Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs in Ireland. Dublin: TFRI. ISBN: 978-0-9557528-4-1 Available at www.tri.ie
Summary Report Details: Salome Sunday, Sheila Keogan, Joan Hanafin, Luke Clancy (2020). ESPAD 2019 Ireland: Summary Results from the European Schools Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs in Ireland. Dublin: TFRI. ISBN: 978-0-9557528-5-8Available at www.tri.ie
Contact: [email protected] Mobile -Prof Luke Clancy ; 0868363337
The STOP project: Smoking cessation Through Optimisation of clinical care in Pregnancy. Is being run in the Coombe Women and infants University Hospital in Dublin.
Smoking cessation during pregnancy improves maternal and neonatal outcomes, and increases the birth weight of the infant. We have designed a smoking cessation antenatal clinic tailored to assist smoking cessation, incorporating a specialist smoking cessation practitioner. We will research whether this leads to better maternal and neonatal outcomes at the end of pregnancy, and whether it helps more women to achieve cessation during pregnancy.
Within our smoking population we aim to investigate fetal growth restriction using ultrasound biometry and Doppler analysis in the third trimester, at 32 and 36 weeks gestation. Previous work has suggested that a single growth scan at 32 weeks may be the optimum time to screen for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in the pregnant smoker (Lynch. We will measure the sensitivity of ultrasound at 32 and 36 weeks to investigate this.
Platelet function is altered in both pregnancy and smoking, and platelets are key mediators in the early development of the placenta. We will profile platelet associated cytokines in smokers and non-smokers at three timepoints in pregnancy and postnatally. These will be compared to pregnant non-smokers and non-pregnant controls. This information will provide insight into the development of placental mediated disorders such as preeclampsia. Little is known about fetal growth effects of vaping. With the increasing use of electronic cigarettes there are concerns for the safety of the developing fetus. We will identify women who ‘vape’ in pregnancy and examine fetal growth in the third trimester to screen for late onset IUGR, in addition to collecting maternal and neonatal outcomes at the end of pregnancy.
ESPAD 2019 European Schools Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs 2019 TFRI are conducting the next wave of the ESPAD project in 2019.
TackSHS Tackling secondhand tobacco smoke and e-cigarette emissions: exposure assessment, novel interventions, impact on lung diseases and economic burden in diverse European populations.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Project TackSHS Horizon 2020
Tackling secondhand tobacco smoke and e-cigarette emissions: exposure assessment, novel interventions, impact on lung diseases and economic burden in diverse European populations. The TackSHS Project.
Exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) has been classified as a "Group 1” carcinogen (known human carcinogen) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and has been shown to have adverse health effects on adults and children, including heart disease and respiratory disorders. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), the most common “electronic nicotine delivery system”, have irrupted in the past 5 years with sales volumes increasing considerably across the European Union. The TackSHS Project will try to elucidate the comprehensive impact that SHS and e-cigarettes emissions have on the respiratory health of the European population and how health impacts vary according to socio-economic parameters with particular emphasis on specific vulnerable groups (patients suffering from pre-existing chronic lung diseases, heavy smokers, and other disadvantaged groups). By means of an integrated series of work packages, we will investigate the determinants of SHS exposure, assessed at the individual level and in the environment (survey and air quality assessment in 12 countries), the overall burden of disease caused (lung diseases and cardiovascular diseases), including the specific respiratory health changes in patients and healthy people, the economic impact of both mortality and morbidity caused by these exposures, the methods to better characterize these exposures and novel interventions to reduce them. This comprehensive, integrated approach will enable significant step-change beyond the current state-of-the-art in understanding SHS and e- cigarette emission exposure. The participating partners have been at the forefront of cutting edge research in this discipline, with prior collaboration between them in specific projects. The TackSHS Project will put together for the first time all these first- line research teams, and the conjunction of the work packages will result in a step forward to tackle exposure to SHS and e-cigarettes emissions.
European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) 2015
ESPAD is a collaborative effort of independent research teams in more than forty European countries and is the largest cross-national research project on adolescent substance use in the world. The overall aim with the project is to longitudinally collect comparable data on substance use among 15–16 year old students across Europe. TFRI were partners in the 2015 ESPAD data administration.
For more information on ESPAD, click here.
Tackling secondhand tobacco smoke and e-cigarette emissions: exposure assessment, novel interventions, impact on lung diseases and economic burden in diverse European populations. The TackSHS Project.
Exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) has been classified as a "Group 1” carcinogen (known human carcinogen) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and has been shown to have adverse health effects on adults and children, including heart disease and respiratory disorders. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), the most common “electronic nicotine delivery system”, have irrupted in the past 5 years with sales volumes increasing considerably across the European Union. The TackSHS Project will try to elucidate the comprehensive impact that SHS and e-cigarettes emissions have on the respiratory health of the European population and how health impacts vary according to socio-economic parameters with particular emphasis on specific vulnerable groups (patients suffering from pre-existing chronic lung diseases, heavy smokers, and other disadvantaged groups). By means of an integrated series of work packages, we will investigate the determinants of SHS exposure, assessed at the individual level and in the environment (survey and air quality assessment in 12 countries), the overall burden of disease caused (lung diseases and cardiovascular diseases), including the specific respiratory health changes in patients and healthy people, the economic impact of both mortality and morbidity caused by these exposures, the methods to better characterize these exposures and novel interventions to reduce them. This comprehensive, integrated approach will enable significant step-change beyond the current state-of-the-art in understanding SHS and e- cigarette emission exposure. The participating partners have been at the forefront of cutting edge research in this discipline, with prior collaboration between them in specific projects. The TackSHS Project will put together for the first time all these first- line research teams, and the conjunction of the work packages will result in a step forward to tackle exposure to SHS and e-cigarettes emissions.
European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) 2015
ESPAD is a collaborative effort of independent research teams in more than forty European countries and is the largest cross-national research project on adolescent substance use in the world. The overall aim with the project is to longitudinally collect comparable data on substance use among 15–16 year old students across Europe. TFRI were partners in the 2015 ESPAD data administration.
For more information on ESPAD, click here.
Is Allen Carr’s 'Easyway to Stop Smoking Programme' superior to existing smoking cessation services?: A randomised controlled trial.
The Allen Carr (AC) 'Easyway to Stop Smoking Programme' purports to very successful at treating tobacco dependence. However, it has not yet been directly compared to established treatments through a trial. There is wide-spread support for the efficacy of the AC method; though without peer-reviewed evidence of its performance, it cannot be introduced as a formally approved treatment in public services. In this randomised controlled trial, we will compare the AC method with an existing, widely used public service designated to enroll people in a quit programme using the internet, the phone, and one-on-one support based on the needs of individual clients.
The Allen Carr (AC) 'Easyway to Stop Smoking Programme' purports to very successful at treating tobacco dependence. However, it has not yet been directly compared to established treatments through a trial. There is wide-spread support for the efficacy of the AC method; though without peer-reviewed evidence of its performance, it cannot be introduced as a formally approved treatment in public services. In this randomised controlled trial, we will compare the AC method with an existing, widely used public service designated to enroll people in a quit programme using the internet, the phone, and one-on-one support based on the needs of individual clients.
Tob-G Tobacco Cessation Guidelines for High Risk Groups
The aim of the project is to promote early prevention of chronic diseases attributed to tobacco dependence. The focus will be on primary and secondary prevention activities in order to contribute to end the tobacco epidemic. Primary prevention refers to actions that prevent disease from occurring and reduce its incidence. These actions occur before the onset of disease and include health promotion and protection, such as tobacco cessation. Primary prevention, for the purposes of this project, will be also directed to young people and pregnant women since tobacco cessation for these groups will have long term benefits for their health and can be used as a prevention method of developing chronic diseases later in their lives. Secondary prevention involves early detection of disease that can minimize or interrupt its progression and thereby prevent irreversible damage.
For further information go to Tob-G website.
The aim of the project is to promote early prevention of chronic diseases attributed to tobacco dependence. The focus will be on primary and secondary prevention activities in order to contribute to end the tobacco epidemic. Primary prevention refers to actions that prevent disease from occurring and reduce its incidence. These actions occur before the onset of disease and include health promotion and protection, such as tobacco cessation. Primary prevention, for the purposes of this project, will be also directed to young people and pregnant women since tobacco cessation for these groups will have long term benefits for their health and can be used as a prevention method of developing chronic diseases later in their lives. Secondary prevention involves early detection of disease that can minimize or interrupt its progression and thereby prevent irreversible damage.
For further information go to Tob-G website.
Project SILNE-R Horizon 2020
The main aim of this collaborative European project is to learn through in-depth comparisons between seven European countries how strategies and programs to prevent youth smoking could enhance their effectiveness by taking into account the opportunities, barriers and resources present at local levels.
General Aims:
The main aim of this collaborative European project is to learn through in-depth comparisons between seven European countries how strategies and programs to prevent youth smoking could enhance their effectiveness by taking into account the opportunities, barriers and resources present at local levels.
General Aims:
- To assess how recent strategies and programs to prevent youth smoking have been implemented at national, municipal and school levels and how they have influenced smoking behaviour of 16 year old adolescents in seven European countries.
- To develop and to disseminate the fine-grained evidence that is needed to support decision makers in implementing strategies to prevent youth smoking in local settings. With due attention for program costs and for inequalities in smoking.
Second Hand Smoke Exposure and Breath Sounds
Using innovative technology that monitors breath sounds through-out the course of the day, we are exploring individuals' breath sounds in private and public spaces, including both smokefree areas and areas where they may be exposed to second hand smoke. Data collection will begin in 2015.
Using innovative technology that monitors breath sounds through-out the course of the day, we are exploring individuals' breath sounds in private and public spaces, including both smokefree areas and areas where they may be exposed to second hand smoke. Data collection will begin in 2015.
Factors associated with E-Cigarette use among Irish teenagers [2014]
The use and regulation of e-cigarettes is a controversial issue, particularly as their use becomes more prevalent. To date, there is very little available evidence on e-cigarette prevalence, particularly among young people. The current study explores prevalence of e-cigarette use among Irish teenagers and provides valuable data on this developing topic. TFRI surveyed a cross-sectional, representative survey of 823 young people aged 16-17 explored e-cigarette awareness and prevalence.
The use and regulation of e-cigarettes is a controversial issue, particularly as their use becomes more prevalent. To date, there is very little available evidence on e-cigarette prevalence, particularly among young people. The current study explores prevalence of e-cigarette use among Irish teenagers and provides valuable data on this developing topic. TFRI surveyed a cross-sectional, representative survey of 823 young people aged 16-17 explored e-cigarette awareness and prevalence.
Young People's Perceptions of Plain Packaging Study [2014]
Since 2014, we have been exploring young people's perceptions of standardized or 'plain' tobacco packaging. The first wave of this quantitative study targeted young people aged 16-17 in secondary schools across the Republic of Ireland. Data collection for this wave completed in June 2014. The second wave of the study aims to target young people of the same age in Northern Ireland and will be conducted in 2015. As both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland move to implement standardized packaging legislation in the coming year, the need for evidence-based research on young people's perceptions of the proposed packaging is urgent.
Since 2014, we have been exploring young people's perceptions of standardized or 'plain' tobacco packaging. The first wave of this quantitative study targeted young people aged 16-17 in secondary schools across the Republic of Ireland. Data collection for this wave completed in June 2014. The second wave of the study aims to target young people of the same age in Northern Ireland and will be conducted in 2015. As both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland move to implement standardized packaging legislation in the coming year, the need for evidence-based research on young people's perceptions of the proposed packaging is urgent.
Tobacco Use among People Living with HIV and AIDS [2014]
In collaboration with the GUIDE clinic at St. James' Hospital, we are investigating tobacco prevalence, smoking behaviours, and desire to quit among people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) in Ireland. Data collection for this project took place in Ireland's leading HIV clinic in 2014. We aim to use this data as grounding for the implementation of a smoking cessation programme targeted at PLWHA.
In collaboration with the GUIDE clinic at St. James' Hospital, we are investigating tobacco prevalence, smoking behaviours, and desire to quit among people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) in Ireland. Data collection for this project took place in Ireland's leading HIV clinic in 2014. We aim to use this data as grounding for the implementation of a smoking cessation programme targeted at PLWHA.
Tobacco control in vulnerable populations in Ireland [2009-2012]
The overall aim of this project was to provide population-based epidemiological research as the evidence-base for anti-smoking interventions and legislation in vulnerable population sub-groups in Ireland. It was funded by a HRB Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Award. This project had five specific hypotheses:
1) Migrants Living in Ireland: Ireland's migrant population have a significantly higher smoking prevalence rate when compared with the multi-generational Irish population. Furthermore, they often hold different attitudes towards smoking and tobacco use. For more information, click here.
2) Smoking in the LGBT Community: Ireland's LGBT community exhibit a different smoking behavioural pattern compared to heterosexual smokers of a similar socio-economic status. For more information, read articles here and here.
3) Infants: Declining active prenatal maternal smoking and reduced exposure to SHS thanks to the workplace smoking ban will result in a reduction in SIDS and LBW prevalence. For more information, read an article here.
4) Children exposed to SHS in cars: Children exposed to SHS in cars are more likely to suffer from increased respiratory health outcomes (asthma, symptoms of wheeze and bronchitis) and allergies (hay fever and eczema). For more information on our work with ISAAC or read articles here and here.
5) Socio-economic groups: The smoking prevalence rates of children from lower socio-economic groups show the same temporal pattern as the rates in children from upper socio-economic groups in Ireland.
The overall aim of this project was to provide population-based epidemiological research as the evidence-base for anti-smoking interventions and legislation in vulnerable population sub-groups in Ireland. It was funded by a HRB Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Award. This project had five specific hypotheses:
1) Migrants Living in Ireland: Ireland's migrant population have a significantly higher smoking prevalence rate when compared with the multi-generational Irish population. Furthermore, they often hold different attitudes towards smoking and tobacco use. For more information, click here.
2) Smoking in the LGBT Community: Ireland's LGBT community exhibit a different smoking behavioural pattern compared to heterosexual smokers of a similar socio-economic status. For more information, read articles here and here.
3) Infants: Declining active prenatal maternal smoking and reduced exposure to SHS thanks to the workplace smoking ban will result in a reduction in SIDS and LBW prevalence. For more information, read an article here.
4) Children exposed to SHS in cars: Children exposed to SHS in cars are more likely to suffer from increased respiratory health outcomes (asthma, symptoms of wheeze and bronchitis) and allergies (hay fever and eczema). For more information on our work with ISAAC or read articles here and here.
5) Socio-economic groups: The smoking prevalence rates of children from lower socio-economic groups show the same temporal pattern as the rates in children from upper socio-economic groups in Ireland.
FP7 Project "Pricing Policies and Control of Tobacco in Europe" PPACTE [2009-2012]
A proposal, entitled PPACTE: Pricing Policies and Control of Tobacco in Europe, was accepted by the European Commission in response to the call HEALTH-2007-4.2-5: Effectiveness of fiscal policies for tobacco control in Europe under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). Almost €3 million was available for this project and it commenced in February 2009. The project aimed to support the development of regulatory policies that ensure effective and equitable control of tobacco use, and addressed the following questions:
1) What is the effectiveness of pricing policies across Europe?
2) What is the effect on tobacco use, cessation, and relapse behaviour?
3) How do they relate to social and health inequalities, other smoking restriction policies, emergence of grey/illegal markets, and substitution?
There were large price discrepancies between EU members states, which, as of January 2009, ranged from as high as €8.10 in Ireland to as low as €1.48 in Bulgaria and €1.45 in Latvia (MPPC). This has led to the emergence of grey markets (large quantities of cigarettes purchased legally with appropriate duty paid in countries with lower tobacco prices and brought into countries with higher tobacco prices for personal consumption). In addition, tobacco pricing policies are further complicated and undermined by the presence of an extensive eastern land border with Russia, Belarus and the Ukraine, countries which have high prevalence of smoking, very low real price of tobacco products and relatively weak tobacco control policies.
A proposal, entitled PPACTE: Pricing Policies and Control of Tobacco in Europe, was accepted by the European Commission in response to the call HEALTH-2007-4.2-5: Effectiveness of fiscal policies for tobacco control in Europe under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). Almost €3 million was available for this project and it commenced in February 2009. The project aimed to support the development of regulatory policies that ensure effective and equitable control of tobacco use, and addressed the following questions:
1) What is the effectiveness of pricing policies across Europe?
2) What is the effect on tobacco use, cessation, and relapse behaviour?
3) How do they relate to social and health inequalities, other smoking restriction policies, emergence of grey/illegal markets, and substitution?
There were large price discrepancies between EU members states, which, as of January 2009, ranged from as high as €8.10 in Ireland to as low as €1.48 in Bulgaria and €1.45 in Latvia (MPPC). This has led to the emergence of grey markets (large quantities of cigarettes purchased legally with appropriate duty paid in countries with lower tobacco prices and brought into countries with higher tobacco prices for personal consumption). In addition, tobacco pricing policies are further complicated and undermined by the presence of an extensive eastern land border with Russia, Belarus and the Ukraine, countries which have high prevalence of smoking, very low real price of tobacco products and relatively weak tobacco control policies.
Tobacco and Health Inequalities [2008-2013]
Institute of Public Health (IPH) and TFRI developed a report on tobacco and health inequalities entitled A Tobacco-Free Future: An All-Island Report on Tobacco, Inequalities and Childhood. The report was prepared by Dr Helen McAvoy, Dr Olga McDaid, Mr Owen Metcalfe (Institute of Public Health in Ireland), Dr Zubair Kabir, Professor Luke Clancy (TFRI) and Dr Udo Reulbach (Trinity College Dublin). The findings of the report were promoted and disseminated to influence policy and practice in the area of tobacco control and smoking cessation through liaison with policy makers in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The publication is available for download here.
Institute of Public Health (IPH) and TFRI developed a report on tobacco and health inequalities entitled A Tobacco-Free Future: An All-Island Report on Tobacco, Inequalities and Childhood. The report was prepared by Dr Helen McAvoy, Dr Olga McDaid, Mr Owen Metcalfe (Institute of Public Health in Ireland), Dr Zubair Kabir, Professor Luke Clancy (TFRI) and Dr Udo Reulbach (Trinity College Dublin). The findings of the report were promoted and disseminated to influence policy and practice in the area of tobacco control and smoking cessation through liaison with policy makers in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The publication is available for download here.
Passive Smoking [2009-2011]
TFRI was a partner in the project: Passive smoking: evaluation of the impact of smoke-free policies in Member States on exposure to second-hand smoke and tobacco consumption (IMPASHS), funded by DG SANCO and coordinated by the Public Health Agency of Barcelona. The project developed an evaluation frame to review the implementation of smokefree policies in Member States. The project analysed the validity, appropriateness, cost and feasibility of different indicators including airborne indicators and examined the impact of smokefree policies in tobacco consumption and exposure of particularly vulnerable groups, like children and hospitality sector workforce.
For more information, see our publications page or read articles here and here.
TFRI was a partner in the project: Passive smoking: evaluation of the impact of smoke-free policies in Member States on exposure to second-hand smoke and tobacco consumption (IMPASHS), funded by DG SANCO and coordinated by the Public Health Agency of Barcelona. The project developed an evaluation frame to review the implementation of smokefree policies in Member States. The project analysed the validity, appropriateness, cost and feasibility of different indicators including airborne indicators and examined the impact of smokefree policies in tobacco consumption and exposure of particularly vulnerable groups, like children and hospitality sector workforce.
For more information, see our publications page or read articles here and here.
All-Ireland Bar Study and Dublin Bar Study [2006-2007]
TFRI coordinated a number of studies to evaluate the impact the smoke-free workplaces had on levels of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), benzene and the respiratory health of bar workers. Staffing levels, customer numbers and smoking rates were recorded and ETS, Benzene, ultrafine and PM2.5 particles were measured in a number of bars and the respiratory health of 81 bar workers was tested pre and post ban. The bar workers were re-tested 6 to 12 months after the ban as well as two years after the ban.
For more information, see our publications page, or read the 2007 article here.
TFRI coordinated a number of studies to evaluate the impact the smoke-free workplaces had on levels of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), benzene and the respiratory health of bar workers. Staffing levels, customer numbers and smoking rates were recorded and ETS, Benzene, ultrafine and PM2.5 particles were measured in a number of bars and the respiratory health of 81 bar workers was tested pre and post ban. The bar workers were re-tested 6 to 12 months after the ban as well as two years after the ban.
For more information, see our publications page, or read the 2007 article here.
ISSAC: The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood [2000-2003]
ISAAC was developed in 1991 to facilitate research into asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema by promoting a standardised methodology. ISAAC is a unique project that has attracted worldwide interest and unprecedented large scale participation. ISAAC is a time-trend study with waves conducted in 1993-95, 1998-99 and 2000-2003.
In Ireland, the study was undertaken by TFRI in collaboration with the Asthma Society of Ireland and examined child, peer, parental and passive smoking in relation to respiratory symptoms including asthma.
For more information, see our publications page, or read an article here, or visit the ISAAC website.
ISAAC was developed in 1991 to facilitate research into asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema by promoting a standardised methodology. ISAAC is a unique project that has attracted worldwide interest and unprecedented large scale participation. ISAAC is a time-trend study with waves conducted in 1993-95, 1998-99 and 2000-2003.
In Ireland, the study was undertaken by TFRI in collaboration with the Asthma Society of Ireland and examined child, peer, parental and passive smoking in relation to respiratory symptoms including asthma.
For more information, see our publications page, or read an article here, or visit the ISAAC website.
Study of Exempted Workplaces [2011]
This research investigated Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) exposure levels in workplaces within the Republic of Ireland where there is an exemption to the smoking ban including nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals, and prisons. A study of 40 nursing homes was undertaken under a MRCG/HRB joint awards scheme and the direction of PI Dr Pat Goodman.
For more information, see our publications page, or read an article here.
This research investigated Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) exposure levels in workplaces within the Republic of Ireland where there is an exemption to the smoking ban including nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals, and prisons. A study of 40 nursing homes was undertaken under a MRCG/HRB joint awards scheme and the direction of PI Dr Pat Goodman.
For more information, see our publications page, or read an article here.
Smoking Cessation Services in Ireland [2006]
Government strategy outlined in "Towards a Tobacco Free Society" involves increasing the number of people who stop smoking each year. A key method of achieving this target is the provision of cessation programmes to assist smokers to quit. A variety of smoking cessation services are available in Ireland and are provided in both community and hospital settings. This project assessed the range, availability and effectiveness of smoking cessation services throughout the country. TFRI undertook this work in partnership with the Health Promoting Hospital Network, the Institute of Public Health and the HSE, and was granted a two-year award from the HRB.
For more information, see our publications page, or read an article here.
Government strategy outlined in "Towards a Tobacco Free Society" involves increasing the number of people who stop smoking each year. A key method of achieving this target is the provision of cessation programmes to assist smokers to quit. A variety of smoking cessation services are available in Ireland and are provided in both community and hospital settings. This project assessed the range, availability and effectiveness of smoking cessation services throughout the country. TFRI undertook this work in partnership with the Health Promoting Hospital Network, the Institute of Public Health and the HSE, and was granted a two-year award from the HRB.
For more information, see our publications page, or read an article here.
Economics of Tobacco Control (PhD Studentship) [2008-2011]
The workplace smoking ban introduced into Ireland in March 2004 and has subsequently been shown to be an effective public health policy measure. It is argued however to have a negative economic impact on the hospitality industry and on the economy overall. To examine this issue further, TFRI funded a PhD studentship supervised by Prof Charles Normand, Professor of Health Policy and Management, Trinity College Dublin. Laura Maran was appointed and completed her PhD in 2011.
The workplace smoking ban introduced into Ireland in March 2004 and has subsequently been shown to be an effective public health policy measure. It is argued however to have a negative economic impact on the hospitality industry and on the economy overall. To examine this issue further, TFRI funded a PhD studentship supervised by Prof Charles Normand, Professor of Health Policy and Management, Trinity College Dublin. Laura Maran was appointed and completed her PhD in 2011.
fMRI Study to Examine Neurocognitive Processes in Nicotine Dependence
This research investigated the role of specific neurocognitive processes in nicotine dependence, particularly those involved in the control of behaviour. Using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), a non-invasive technique for visualising brain function in vivo, the study sought to find out whether neurocognitive deficits that have previously been observed in abusers of drugs other than nicotine are present in nicotine dependent individuals and whether the presence or magnitude of these deficits are predictive of relapse for those nicotine dependent individual enrolled in smoking cessation programmes.
For more information, see our publications page, or read an article here.
This research investigated the role of specific neurocognitive processes in nicotine dependence, particularly those involved in the control of behaviour. Using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), a non-invasive technique for visualising brain function in vivo, the study sought to find out whether neurocognitive deficits that have previously been observed in abusers of drugs other than nicotine are present in nicotine dependent individuals and whether the presence or magnitude of these deficits are predictive of relapse for those nicotine dependent individual enrolled in smoking cessation programmes.
For more information, see our publications page, or read an article here.
European GPs' Engagement in Smoking Cessation (PESCE)
The European PESCE project aimed to motivate increased smoking cessation interventions by GPs by addressing the socio-economic environment of the GP's practice. The project examined the long term health benefits and economic growth, brought about by increased smoking cessation interventions by GPs and developed evidence-based policy recommendations and implementation strategies to improve uptake of these interventions across all socio-economic groups. TFRI was involved in the "grey literature" review in Ireland and in contributing to the evidence-based policy recommendations and practice-based implementation strategies.
For more information, see our publications page, or read an article here.
The European PESCE project aimed to motivate increased smoking cessation interventions by GPs by addressing the socio-economic environment of the GP's practice. The project examined the long term health benefits and economic growth, brought about by increased smoking cessation interventions by GPs and developed evidence-based policy recommendations and implementation strategies to improve uptake of these interventions across all socio-economic groups. TFRI was involved in the "grey literature" review in Ireland and in contributing to the evidence-based policy recommendations and practice-based implementation strategies.
For more information, see our publications page, or read an article here.
Tobacco Control Policies, Lung Cancer and Smoking Patterns: Ireland and Massachusetts
The state of Massachusetts in the United States is also a global leader in anti-smoking policies, introducing state-wide smoke-free policies in 2004. The Tobacco-Free Research Institute, in collaboration with Harvard School of Public Health, undertook a comparative research project under the Joint Research Fellowships in Cancer - HRB/NCI scheme in 2006-2008. Dr Zubair Kabir was appointed as Post-Doctoral Research Fellow to conduct the research, supervised by Prof Luke Clancy and Prof Gregory Connolly, Harvard School of Public Health. This collaboration was a stepping stone to securing the Irish government's commitment to a Tobacco Free Society.
For more information, see our publications page, read articles here and here, for example, or see Dr Kabir's ResearchGate
The state of Massachusetts in the United States is also a global leader in anti-smoking policies, introducing state-wide smoke-free policies in 2004. The Tobacco-Free Research Institute, in collaboration with Harvard School of Public Health, undertook a comparative research project under the Joint Research Fellowships in Cancer - HRB/NCI scheme in 2006-2008. Dr Zubair Kabir was appointed as Post-Doctoral Research Fellow to conduct the research, supervised by Prof Luke Clancy and Prof Gregory Connolly, Harvard School of Public Health. This collaboration was a stepping stone to securing the Irish government's commitment to a Tobacco Free Society.
For more information, see our publications page, read articles here and here, for example, or see Dr Kabir's ResearchGate