International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Background: Post-cessation weight gain is a barrier to smoking abstinence, yet evidence on the role of e-cigarettes in mitigating this remains limited. Objective: To examine weight-related effects of e-cigarettes in comparison with established cessation methods. Methods: We reviewed data from three cessation trials we conducted between 2005 and 2020. In ZESCA and EVITA, patients were randomized to bupropion or varenicline versus placebo. In the E3 trial, participants were randomized to counseling alone or with nicotine or non-nicotine e-cigarettes. Post hoc analyses assessed weight at 52 weeks for bupropion and varenicline, and 12 weeks for e-cigarettes. Synthesis: Abstinent individuals showed significant weight gain from baseline across the trials. In ZESCA and EVITA, abstinent participants gained more weight than intermittent and persistent smokers at 52 weeks (ZESCA: 4.8 vs. 2.0 vs. 3.0 kg, EVITA: 4.8 vs. 2.0 vs. −0.7 kg, respectively). Abstinent individuals gained more weight than persistent smokers (ZESCA: 3.4 kg, EVITA: 5.5 kg). In the E3 trial, abstinent participants with nicotine e-cigarettes gained more weight than those using non-nicotine e-cigarettes or counseling at 12 weeks (2.7 vs. 2.3 vs. 2.1 kg, respectively). Conclusions: Abstinent individuals experienced significant weight gain regardless of cessation treatment. Long-term effects of e-cigarettes on weight remain unclear.

Background: Urban air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), poses health risks, including damage to the ocular surface. This pilot study (BIKE-EYE) aimed to assess ocular exposure to airborne pollutants during bicycle commuting and to evaluate particle presence in human tear fluid. Methods: Fifteen healthy volunteers wore portable sensors measuring PM2.5 and PM10 during daily bike commutes over six months. Exposure was calculated as time-weighted integrals over the ten days preceding an ophthalmologic exam assessing conjunctival hyperemia, epithelial damage, tear film quality, and meibomian gland function. Ocular symptoms were assessed via the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Tear samples were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Results: Higher pollutant exposure was significantly associated with conjunctival hyperemia and corneal epithelial damage, while temperature and humidity showed no effect. OSDI scores moderately correlated with PM levels. SEM/EDS analysis confirmed airborne particles in post-exposure tear samples, including carbonaceous material, aluminosilicates, iron, and sulfur compounds. Conclusions: Ocular surface alterations and conjunctival hyperemia were significantly associated with air pollution exposure, while subjective symptoms showed weaker trends. The detection of particulate matter in human tear fluid supports the use of the ocular surface as a sensitive, non-invasive tool for biomonitoring. These findings highlight its potential role in early warning systems for pollution-related health effects, with implications for public health surveillance and urban planning.

Housing conditions are increasingly recognized as critical determinants of non-communicable diseases; however, their influence on hypertension (HTN) risk remains underexplored in low- and middle-income countries. In urban India, structural disparities in housing are especially pronounced between slum and non-slum areas, making comparative analysis crucial for understanding context-specific health risks. This study examines the relationship between multidimensional housing conditions and HTN risk among women aged 18–49, drawing on data from 68,422 respondents in the fourth National Family Health Survey. A composite housing index was developed to capture six dimensions: structural quality, housing services access, indoor air quality, crowding, tenure security, and asset ownership. Survey-weighted logistic regressions were used to assess associations between housing conditions and HTN, controlling for key socio-demographic and health-related factors. We found that overall HTN prevalence was lower in slum households (11.6%) than in non-slum households (16.0%). Unexpectedly, slum households reported better structural durability and indoor air quality than non-slum households, suggesting incremental improvements in notified or tenure-secure slums. Better tenure security and asset ownership were found to be protective factors for HTN risk, while better structural quality was associated with higher HTN odds in non-slum areas. Crowding showed contrasting effects: in slums, higher crowding increased HTN risk, whereas in non-slums, lower crowding was associated with higher HTN. These findings highlight the context-dependent nature of housing-health links. Targeted interventions that address both physical infrastructure and broader living conditions can play a vital role in reducing urban hypertension disparities among women in India.