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Abstract: Background: Our aim was to assess, in the general German population, the association between tobacco smoking status and self-reported SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 symptom severity, and symptom duration. Methods: Cross-sectional household survey with face-to-face interviews of representative samples of the German population conducted between 02/2021-04/2022. Associations between smoking status (current, long-term ex-, never) and three self-reported outcomes (corona infection status, symptom severity, and symptom duration) were analysed with regression models, adjusted for a range of potential confounding factors, including vaccination status in a sub-sample. We also ran sensitivity analyses. Results: 872 people reported an infection (5.4 % of 16,028). There was no relevant and statistically significant association between current smoking and long-term ex-smoking compared with never smoking regarding ever being infected with corona (aOR=1.02, 95 %CI=0.86–1.20 and aOR=1.03, 95 %CI=0.83–1.28, respectively), symptom severity (aOR=0.84, 95 %CI=0.59–1.20 and aOR=0.88, 95 %CI=0.55–1.38, respectively), and symptom duration (aβ)=-0.09 months, 95 %CI=-0.45–0.28 and aβ=0.002 months, 95 %CI=-0.48–0.48). Sensitivity analyses examining the interaction between survey wave and smoking status showed that the risk of an infection increased over time, and this increase was higher in current smokers compared with never smokers. Conclusions: In the general German population smokers appear to be as likely to acquire a corona infection as long-term ex- and never smokers.

Purpose. To describe effective retention strategies in a clinical trial with a high risk, low-income, and vulnerable patient population with serious mental illness. Design. Follow-up assessments were conducted for a randomized clinical tobacco treatment trial at 3, 6, and 12 months postbaseline. Initial follow-up rates of < 40% at 3 months led to implementation of proactive retention strategies including obtaining extensive contact information; building relationships with case managers and social workers; contacting jails and prisons; text messaging, e-mailing, and messaging via social networking sites; identifying appointments via electronic medical record; and field outreach to treatment facilities, residences, and parks. Setting. Large urban public hospital. Subjects. Participants were current smokers recruited from 100% smoke-free locked psychiatry units. Measures. Assessments covered demographics, substance use, and mental health functioning. Analysis. Retention rates were plotted over time in relation to key retention strategies. Chi-square and t-tests were used to examine participant predictors of retention at each follow-up. At the 12-month follow-up, the retention strategies that most frequently led to assessment completion were identified. Results. The sample (N = 100) was 65% male; age × = 39.5 years (SD = 11.3); 44% non-Hispanic white; 46% on Medicaid and 34% uninsured; 79% unemployed; and 48% unstably housed. Proactive retention strategies dramatically increased follow-up rates, concluding at 3 months = 82.65%, 6 months = 89.69%, and 12 months = 92.78%. Married and divorced/separated/widowed participants, those with higher income, and participants with alcohol or illicit drug problems had increased retention from 3- to 12-month follow-up. Conclusion. Follow-up rates improved as proactive methods to contact participants were implemented. Dedicated research staff, multiple methods, community networking, and outreach within drug treatment settings improved retention.

BackgroundMost U.S. states have legalized cannabis for medical and/or recreational use. In a 6-month prospective observational study, we examined changes in adult cannabis use patterns and health perceptions following broadened legalization of cannabis use from medical to recreational purposes in California.MethodsRespondents were part of Stanford University's WELL for Life registry, an online adult cohort concentrated in Northern California. Surveys were administered online in the 10 days prior to state legalization of recreational use (1/1/18) and 1-month (2/1/18-2/15/18) and 6-months (7/1/2018-7/15/18) following the change in state policy. Online surveys assessed self-reported past 30-day cannabis use, exposure to others' cannabis use, and health perceptions of cannabis use. Logistic regression models and generalized estimating equations (GEE) examined associations between participant characteristics and cannabis use pre- to 1-month and 6-months post-legalization.ResultsThe sample (N = 429, 51% female, 55% non-Hispanic White, age mean = 56 ± 14.6) voted 58% in favor of state legalization of recreational cannabis use, with 26% opposed, and 16% abstained. Cannabis use in the past 30-days significantly increased from pre-legalization (17%) to 1-month post-legalization (21%; odds ratio (OR) = 1.28, p-value (p) = .01) and stayed elevated over pre-legalization levels at 6-months post-legalization (20%; OR = 1.28, p = .01). Exposure to others' cannabis use in the past 30 days did not change significantly over time: 41% pre-legalization, 44% 1-month post-legalization (OR = 1.18, p = .11), and 42% 6-months post-legalization (OR = 1.08, p = .61). Perceptions of health benefits of cannabis use increased from pre-legalization to 6-months post-legalization (OR = 1.19, p = .02). Younger adults, those with fewer years of education, and those reporting histories of depression were more likely to report recent cannabis use pre- and post-legalization. Other mental illness was associated with cannabis use at post-legalization ...