As cigarette smoking reaches historic lows in the United States, new research from MUSC Hollings Cancer Center shows that many younger adults are replacing cigarettes with noncombustible nicotine products, particularly e-cigarettes, rather than quitting tobacco altogether. An analysis of national survey data found that while overall tobacco use has remained relatively stable, combustible tobacco use has declined sharply, especially among adults ages 18 to 34. Researchers also developed a new population harm-reduction index suggesting this shift could substantially reduce future tobacco-related cancers if it continues. However, the study found that older adults who smoke are far less likely to switch away from combustible tobacco, highlighting an important opportunity for tobacco cessation and harm-reduction efforts.

UC Davis Professor of Neurology Sarah Tomaszewski Farias was awarded a $3.3 million federal grant to study possible cultural differences in how people perceive cognitive change as they age.