Aims to characterize e-cigarette use, users, and effects, in a sample of Electronic Cigarette Causacian, 44% educated to degree level or above. Findings 74% reported not smoking for at least a few weeks since using the e-cigarette and 70% reported reduced urge to smoke.72% of participants used a 'tank' system, most commonly, the eGo-C (23%). Mean duration of use was 10 months. Only 1% reported exclusive use of non-nicotine (0mg) containing liquid. E-cigarettes were generally considered to: be satisfying to use; elicit few side effects; be healthier than smoking; improve cough/breathing; and be associated with low levels of craving. Among ex-smokers, 'time to first vape' was significantly longer than 'time to first cigarette' (t 1104 =11.16, P <0.001) suggesting a lower level of dependence to e-cigarettes. Exsmokers reported significantly greater reduction in craving than current smokers (χ 2 1 =133.66, P<0.0007) although few other differences emerged between these groups.Compared to males, females opted more for chocolate/sweet flavours (χ 2 1 =16.16, P< 0.001) and liked the e-cigarette because it resembles a cigarette(χ 2 3 = 42.65, P< 0.001). Conclusions E-cigarettes tend to be used for smoking cessation but for a longer duration than NRT and were generally regarded as efficacious. Future research should focus on possible long-term health risks, abuse liability and cessation efficacy.

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2) determine whether a second generation device was i) superior for reducing urge to smoke and withdrawal symptoms (WS) and ii) associated with enhanced positive subjective effects. Design:Mixed effects experimental design. Phase 1: reason for e-cigarette choice was assessed via questionnaire. Phase 2: participants were randomly allocated to first or second generation e-cigarette condition. Urge to smoke and WS were measured before, and 10mins after, taking 10 e-cigarette accounted for choice. Only baseline urge to smoke/WS predicted urge to smoke/WS 10 minutes after use (B=0.38; P<0.001 and B=0.53; P<0.001). E-cigarette device was not a significant predictor. Those using the second generation device were more likely to report satisfaction and use in a quit attempt (χ 2 =12.10, P=0.001 and χ 2 =5.53, P=0.02). Conclusions: First and second generation e-cigarettes appear to be similarly effective in reducing urge to smoke and WS during abstinence but second generation devices appear to be more satisfying to users.2

Recreational ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine; MDMA) use has been increasingly associated with a number of psychiatric symptoms and psychological problems. However, previous studies assessing possible psychopathological effects have not identified whether users consider their ecstasy use "problematic" or not. In addition, research has generally failed to address the potential role of premorbid psychiatric status. This study aimed to assess whether premorbid psychiatric history and/or patterns of ecstasy use would be associated with the degree of self-reported problems attributable to ecstasy. Problematic ecstasy users (n = 53) who had reported problems attributable to their ecstasy use were compared with non-problematic ecstasy users (n = 62), polydrug controls (n = 62) and illegal drug-naive controls (n = 111) on a recreational drug use questionnaire; a questionnaire, which ascertained personal and family psychiatric histories, and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Problematic ecstasy users exhibited significantly higher scores on a number of dimensions of the BSI compared to illegal drug-naive and/or polydrug controls. Problematic ecstasy users also exhibited significantly elevated scores on somatization, depression, anxiety and negative psychobiology compared to non-problematic ecstasy users. BSI scores for the non-problematic ecstasy users did not differ from polydrug or illegal drug-naive controls. Problematic ecstasy users reported significantly higher levels of ecstasy use, including lifetime consumption, average dosage and binge consumption compared to non-problematic ecstasy users. Additionally, a greater number of problematic ecstasy users reported personal and family psychiatric histories compared to controls and non-problematic ecstasy users. This study demonstrates two distinct ecstasy using groups: non-problematic ecstasy users who are not showing signs of psychopathology and problematic ecstasy users who are showing evidence of a range of symptoms. This data therefore partially supports the link between ecstasy dosage and negative psychological sequelae, but highlights the importance of the need to consider ecstasy-related attributions, pre-existing mental health status and vulnerability.

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or Ecstasy) has been implicated in the onset of a number of psychological disorders and associated with a number of psychiatric symptoms that have persisted after cessation of the drug. This paper is a review of the published psychiatric case studies from the last 10 years involving MDMA. Only 24% of patients had a previous psychiatric history and 34% had a psychiatric illness amongst first degree relatives. The percentage of patients not having had a personal or family history of psychiatric illness and the temporal relationship between MDMA ingestion and the experience of recurring symptoms strongly suggest a causal relationship between the drug and neuropsychiatric manifestations. Further supporting evidence comes from several studies using non-clinical samples. Ecstasy users that don't present themselves in healthcare settings as having clinical symptoms have significantly higher scores on certain subscales of the SCL-90 compared with Ecstasy-naive controls, with higher pathology scores in heavier Ecstasy users. The full-blown psychiatric cases may represent the broad end of this problematic spectrum. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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BackgroundTo date, there has been no review of the research evidence examining smoking cessation among homeless adults. The current review aimed to: (i) estimate smoking prevalence in homeless populations; (ii) explore the efficacy of smoking cessation and smoking reduction interventions for homeless individuals; and (iii) describe the barriers and facilitators to smoking cessation and smoking reduction.MethodSystematic review of peer-reviewed research. Data sources included electronic academic databases. Search terms: ‘smoking’ AND ‘homeless’ AND ‘tobacco’, including adult (18+ years) smokers accessing homeless support services.ResultsFifty-three studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 46 USA). Data could not be meta-analysed due to large methodological inconsistencies and the lack of randomised controlled trials. Smoking prevalence ranged from 57% to 82%. Although there was no clear evidence on which cessation methods work best, layered approaches with additions to usual care seemed to offer modest enhancements in quit rates. Key barriers to cessation exist around the priority of smoking, beliefs around negative impact on mental health and substance use, and environmental influences.ConclusionsHomeless smokers will benefit from layered interventions which support many of their competing needs. To best understand what works, future recommendations include the need for consensus on the reporting of cessation outcomes.