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Articles by Emma Beard
Smoking Prevalence Below 10% in England: A Milestone, But What Are We Missing?
Submitted: 06 November 2026 You are already at the latest version Smoking prevalence falling below 10% is a milestone to celebrate, not evidence that the job is almost done. A smokefree future requires sustained prevention and cessation efforts, alongside surveillance that better captures who smokes, what they use, and who is being missed.
First Ward Living Grace Pantry, UAPB football team to host back-to-school giveaway
Wed, July 8, 2026 at 4:53 PM The giveaway will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is expected to serve hundreds of children and families in Jefferson County. (Photo: File) LITTLE ROCK, AR (KATV) — First Ward Living Grace Pantry will host what organizers say is its largest back-to-school giveaway to date on Saturday, August 1, providing free school supplies and other essential items to families preparing for the new school year.
Associations between the national ‘Swap to Stop’ programme offering free vapes for smoking cessation and quit attempts in England: Results from a population-based survey
INTRODUCTION Vapes have been shown to be an effective smoking cessation tool, increasing the number of people who quit by approximately 4 per 100 compared to nicotine replacement therapy [1]. In England, where vaping for smoking cessation is recognised as one component of tobacco control efforts, approximately 1 in 3 adults report using vapes during a quit attempt, based on data collected between 2013 and 2023 [2].
Associations between the national ‘Swap to Stop’ programme offering free vapes for smoking cessation and quit attempts in England: Results from a population‐based survey
INTRODUCTION Vapes have been shown to be an effective smoking cessation tool, increasing the number of people who quit by approximately 4 per 100 compared to nicotine replacement therapy [1]. In England, where vaping for smoking cessation is recognised as one component of tobacco control efforts, approximately 1 in 3 adults report using vapes during a quit attempt, based on data collected between 2013 and 2023 [2].
From Regeneration Failure to Functional Restoration: Unlocking the Neuronal‐Intrinsic Regenerative Capacity as a Therapeutic Frontier for Optic Neuropathy and Glaucoma
1 Introduction Optic neuropathies refer to a group of eye disorders resulting from traumatic or nontraumatic damage to the optic nerve, frequently leading to degeneration of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons and progressive RGC loss [1]. These conditions typically result in reduced visual acuity and visual field abnormalities in the affected eye [2].
Offering e‐cigarettes for smoking cessation and reduction in people with mental illness (ESCAPE): Protocol for a randomized controlled trial
INTRODUCTION Tobacco smoking accounted for 15% of deaths in the UK general population in 2019 [1]. Tobacco-related deaths and diseases are not evenly distributed across the population, with higher rates of tobacco-related morbidities among individuals with mental health illness [2]. People with mental health illness are more than twice as likely to smoke compared with the general population, and there has been limited change in smoking prevalence among this group over the past five decades [2-4].
Evaluating School-based Interventions for Preventing and Reducing Tobacco use among Adolescents in Low- and Middle-income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION Tobacco use is responsible for more than 8 million deaths annually.1 Despite efforts to control tobacco use, an estimated 1.3 billion adults continue to use tobacco products globally.1 Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are particularly affected, accounting for approximately 80% of people who use tobacco.1 While LMICs historically had fewer people who use tobacco during most of the 20th century than high-income countries, recent trends in tobacco use for LMICs are a cause...
How much does the absence of the ‘hidden population’ from United Kingdom household surveys underestimate smoking prevalence?
INTRODUCTION Smoking remains the single biggest preventable cause of death and illness in the United Kingdom (UK) [1]. In 2021, an estimated 76 thousand people died from smoking-related causes in the United Kingdom [2]. Accurately measuring smoking prevalence is critical for addressing this major public health issue. The main survey for evaluating smoking prevalence in the United Kingdom is the Annual Population Survey (APS) by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) [3].
Providing an e-cigarette starter kit for smoking cessation and reduction as adjunct to usual care to smokers with a mental health condition: Findings from the ESCAPE feasibility study
LS has received honoraria for talks, unrestricted research grants and travel expenses to attend meetings and workshops from manufactures of smoking cessation medications (Pfizer; J&J) and has acted as paid reviewer for grant awarding bodies and as a paid consultant for health care companies. All authors declare no financial links with tobacco companies, e-cigarette manufacturers, or their representatives. ISRCTN17691451 This work was supported by Yorkshire Cancer Research (Y433).
Impact of Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations on cigarette consumption and youth smoking in England: interrupted time-series analysis
Impact of Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations on cigarette consumption and youth smoking in England: interrupted time-series analysis Statistics from Altmetric.com Request Permissions If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.
Impact of Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations on cigarette consumption and youth smoking in England: interrupted time-series analysis
Impact of Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations on cigarette consumption and youth smoking in England: interrupted time-series analysis Statistics from Altmetric.com Request Permissions If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.
Effectiveness of a smartphone app (Drink Less) versus usual digital care for reducing alcohol consumption among increasing-and-higher-risk adult drinkers in the UK: a two-arm, parallel-group, double-blind, randomised controlled trial
Keywords Alcohol reduction app MHealth Randomised controlled trial Drink less Digital intervention Evidence before this study We searched PubMed using the search terms “alcohol reduction app” and “UK general population” from database inception up to 15 02, 2024. Of the four publications, three were focused on the Drink Less app. The fourth was focused on an evaluation of the Drinks:Ration app, which aims to reduce alcohol harms amongst UK veterans.
Soma-to-germline BMP signal is essential for Drosophila spermiogenesis
Abstract In the Drosophila testis, developing germ cells are encapsulated by somatic support cells throughout development. Soma-germline interactions are essential for successful spermiogenesis. However, it is still not fully understood what signaling events take place between the soma and the germline.
Association between the implementation of standardised tobacco packaging legislation and illicit tobacco and cross-border purchasing in England: a time-series analysis between 2012 and 2020
Abstract Background In May 2016, the UK announced standardising packaging legislation for tobacco products. There was a 12-month transition period with both branded and standardised packs on the market until May 2017. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the implementation of standardised packaging in England was associated with changes in illicit tobacco and cross-border purchasing. Methods We used Smoking Toolkit Study data covering the time period from 2012 to 2020.
Was the implementation of standardised tobacco packaging legislation in England associated with changes in smoking prevalence? A segmented regression analysis between 2006 and 2019
Statistical analysis We initially plotted aggregated monthly trends in current smoking prevalence in the general population and in the subgroups defined by sex, age and socioeconomic status using weighted STS data from November 2006 to December 2019 to illustrate overall prevalence trends for the population in England.15 We compared smoking prevalence during the year the policy was implemented with the year before using a t-test to have a simple estimate of difference in prevalence before and...
Just Because You’re in Business Doesn’t Mean Your Ads Should Be Boring
Purple Bricks If you haven’t seen a Purple Bricks ad before, they’re a UK based Estate Agents and their ads are good enough to get a few giggles out of you — Hardly ingenious, but I’ve always found them quite funny. For a while, Purple Bricks ads followed a basic formula: 1. Unassuming character — let’s call them ‘Dan’ — who’s just sold their house is chatting about something inconspicuous with friends. 2.
Moderators of changes in smoking, drinking and quitting behaviour associated with the first COVID‐19 lockdown in England
Abstract Aim To estimate changes in smoking, drinking and quitting behaviour from before to during the first COVID-19 lockdown in England, and whether changes differed by age, sex or social grade. Design Representative cross-sectional surveys of adults, collected monthly between August 2018 and July 2020. Setting England. Participants A total of 36 980 adults (≥ 18 years).
Estimation of risk of neuropsychiatric adverse events from varenicline, bupropion and nicotine patch versus placebo: secondary analysis of results from the EAGLES trial using Bayes factors
Introduction The smoking cessation medications varenicline, bupropion and nicotine patch have been shown to improve smokers’ chances of stopping long term, but concerns have been raised about the safety of varenicline and bupropion with regard to neuropsychiatric adverse events (NPSAEs; e.g. suicidality and aggression) [1, 2].
Differences between ethnic groups in self‐reported use of e‐cigarettes and nicotine replacement therapy for cutting down and temporary abstinence: a cross‐sectional population‐level survey in England
ABSTRACT Background and aims The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has called for research into tobacco harm reduction across ethnicities, genders and socio‐economic status. Although there is increasing research focused on the latter two, relatively few studies have considered ethnic variations.
Association of initial e-cigarette and other tobacco product use with subsequent cigarette smoking in adolescents: a cross-sectional, matched control study
Analysis Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed with the complex samples procedure in SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) to account for the sampling design and non-response and were weighted to be representative for the underlying population, using weights, stratum and cluster (PSU) information provided by the NYTS. Sample characteristics were compared by year and, for 2014 and 2015, by first product use with χ2 test, or logistic regression in adjusted analyses.
Moderators of changes in smoking, drinking, and quitting behaviour associated with the first Covid-19 lockdown in England
Abstract Aim: To estimate changes in smoking, drinking, and quitting behaviour from before to during the first Covid-19 lockdown in England, and whether changes differed by age, sex, or social grade. Design: Representative cross-sectional surveys of adults, collected monthly between August 2018 and July 2020. Setting: England. Participants: 36,980 adults (≥18y). Measurements: Independent variables were survey month (pre-lockdown: August-February vs.
Who would be targeted by increasing the legal age of sale of cigarettes from 18 to 21? A cross‐sectional study exploring the number and characteristics of smokers in England
Abstract Aims To establish the number of smokers in England who would be targeted by increasing the age of sale of cigarettes from 18 to 21 years and to assess the smoking and socio‐demographic profile of those smokers. Design and setting Nationally representative cross‐sectional survey of adults in England conducted between January 2009 and July 2019. Participants A total of 219 720 adults.
The impact of celebrity influence and national media coverage on users of an alcohol reduction app: a natural experiment
Abstract Background Smartphone apps are increasingly used for health-related behaviour change and people discover apps through different sources. However, it is unclear whether users differ by mode of app discovery. Drink Less is an alcohol reduction app that received national media coverage in the UK caused by celebrity influence (a male TV and radio national broadcaster, aged 51). Our aim was to compare users who discovered the app before and after this coverage.
Evaluation of the London Smoking Cessation Transformation Programme: a time-series analysis
Introduction Tackling smoking remains a public health priority in England [1], as in many other countries [2]. There is reason to believe that regional and citywide campaigns can play a valuable role in reducing smoking prevalence over and above any national tobacco control activity [3, 4]. In 2017, a city‐wide smoking cessation campaign was launched in London to boost quitting rates.
Evaluating the effectiveness of the smartphone app, Drink Less, compared with the NHS alcohol advice webpage, for the reduction of alcohol consumption among hazardous and harmful adult drinkers in the UK at six‐month follow‐up: protocol for a randomised c
Trial Protocol Claire Garnett Corresponding Author E-mail address: c.garnett@ucl.ac.uk https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6589-299X University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT Correspondence to: Claire Garnett, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT.
Effects on alcohol consumption of announcing and implementing revised UK low-risk drinking guidelines: findings from an interrupted time series analysis
Effects on alcohol consumption of announcing and implementing revised UK low-risk drinking guidelines: findings from an interrupted time series analysis http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9283-2151John Holmes1, Emma Beard2,3, Jamie Brown2,3, Alan Brennan1, Petra S Meier1, Susan Michie2, http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5637-5245Abigail K Stevely1, Laura Webster1, Penny F Buykx1,4 1ScHARR, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK 2Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College...
Effects on alcohol consumption of announcing and implementing revised UK low-risk drinking guidelines: findings from an interrupted time series analysis
Effects on alcohol consumption of announcing and implementing revised UK low-risk drinking guidelines: findings from an interrupted time series analysis http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9283-2151John Holmes1, Emma Beard2,3, Jamie Brown2,3, Alan Brennan1, Petra S Meier1, Susan Michie2, http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5637-5245Abigail K Stevely1, Laura Webster1, Penny F Buykx1,4 1 ScHARR, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK 2 Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College...
Are population trends in high-risk alcohol consumption in smokers associated with trends in quit attempts and quit success? A time-series analysis
Are population trends in high-risk alcohol consumption in smokers associated with trends in quit attempts and quit success?
Association of initial e-cigarette and other tobacco product use with subsequent cigarette smoking in adolescents: a cross-sectional, matched control study
Association of initial e-cigarette and other tobacco product use with subsequent cigarette smoking in adolescents: a cross-sectional, matched control study http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4033-442XLion Shahab1,2, Emma Beard1,2, Jamie Brown1,2 1Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, UK 2SPECTRUM Consortium, UK – Shaping Public Health Policies To Reduce Inequalities and Harm, United Kingdom Correspondence to Dr Lion Shahab, Department of Behavioural Science...
Changes in smoker characteristics in England between 2008 and 2017
Abstract Aims At a time of declining smoking prevalence in England, it is useful to document any changes in the characteristics of smokers. This has implications for targeting tobacco control policies and interventions. This study compared the characteristics of smokers from 2008 to 2017 to assess changes in smoking and quitting patterns and socio‐demographic profile.
Population‐level predictors of changes in success rates of smoking quit attempts in England: a time series analysis
Abstract Aims To quantify associations between the success of smoking quit attempts and factors that have varied throughout 2007–2018 at a population level. Design time series analysis using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average with Exogeneous Input (ARIMAX) modelling. Setting and Participants Data were aggregated from 54 847 past‐year smokers taking part in the Smoking Toolkit Study which involves monthly repeated cross‐sectional household surveys of individuals aged 16+ in England.
Association of prevalence of electronic cigarette use with smoking cessation and cigarette consumption in England: a time-series analysis between 2007 and 2017 - Beard - - Addiction - Wiley Online Library
Abstract Aims To provide up‐to‐date estimates of how changes in the prevalence of electronic cigarette (e‐cigarette) use in England have been associated with changes in smoking cessation activities and daily cigarette consumption among smokers in England. Design Time–series analysis of population trends. Setting England. Participants Participants came from the Smoking Toolkit Study, which involves repeated, cross‐sectional household surveys of individuals aged 16 years and older in England.
‘S’-shaped curve: modelling trends in smoking prevalence, uptake and cessation in Great Britain from 1973 to 2016
‘S’-shaped curve: modelling trends in smoking prevalence, uptake and cessation in Great Britain from 1973 to 2016 Emma Victoria Beard1, Robert West1, Martin Jarvis1, Susan Michie2, Jamie Brown1 1 Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, UK 2 Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, Sheffield, UK Correspondence to Emma Victoria Beard, Epidemiology and Public Health, UCL, London WC1E 6BT, UK;...
‘S’-shaped curve: modelling trends in smoking prevalence, uptake and cessation in Great Britain from 1973 to 2016
‘S’-shaped curve: modelling trends in smoking prevalence, uptake and cessation in Great Britain from 1973 to 2016 Emma Victoria Beard1, Robert West1, Martin Jarvis1, Susan Michie2, Jamie Brown1 1Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, UK 2Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, Sheffield, UK Correspondence to Emma Victoria Beard, Epidemiology and Public Health, UCL, London WC1E 6BT, UK;...
Understanding and using time series analyses in addiction research
The full text of this article hosted at iucr.org is unavailable due to technical difficulties.
Correction: Associations between socio-economic factors and alcohol consumption: A population survey of adults in England
Dr. Sadie Boniface should be included in the author byline. They should be listed as the sixth author and affiliated with Addictions Department, Kings College London, London, UK. The contributions of this author are as follows: Writing—review & editing. The correct citation is: Beard E, Brown J, West R, Kaner E, Meier P, Boniface S (2019) Associations between socio-economic factors and alcohol consumption: A population survey of adults in England. PLoS ONE 14(2): e0209442.
Socioeconomic inequalities in the delivery of brief interventions for smoking and excessive drinking: findings from a cross-sectional household survey in England
Socioeconomic inequalities in the delivery of brief interventions for smoking and excessive drinking: findings from a cross-sectional household survey in England Colin Angus1, Jamie Brown2, Emma Beard3, Duncan Gillespie1, Penelope Buykx1, Eileen F S Kaner4, Susan Michie5, Petra Meier1 1 School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK 2 Department of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK 3 Department of Clinical, Educational and...
Development of a tool to assess beliefs about mythical causes of cancer: the Cancer Awareness Measure Mythical Causes Scale
Development of a tool to assess beliefs about mythical causes of cancer: the Cancer Awareness Measure Mythical Causes Scale Samuel G Smith1,2, Emma Beard2,3, Jennifer A McGowan2, Emma Fox4, Chloe Cook5, Radhika Pal2, Jo Waller2, Lion Shahab2 1 Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK 2 Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, UK 3 Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College...
Are smokers who are regularly exposed to e-cigarette use by others more or less motivated to stop or to make a quit attempt? A cross-sectional and longitudinal survey
A total of 13,209 smokers were surveyed between November 2014 and May 2018, of whom 12,787 (96.8%) provided complete data on all baseline variables. Sample characteristics are summarised in Table 1 . A subset of 1580 participants (21.9% of those participating in eligible waves) completed the 6-month follow-up survey.
Five questions to consider before conducting a stepped wedge trial
Researchers should consider five questions before starting a stepped wedge trial. Why are you planning one? Researchers sometimes think that stepped wedge trials are useful when there is little doubt about the benefit of the intervention being tested. However, if the primary reason for an intervention is to measure its effect, without equipoise there is no ethical justification for delaying implementation in some clusters.
Is prevalence of e-cigarette and nicotine replacement therapy use among smokers associated with average cigarette consumption in England? A time-series analysis
Beard E, Brown J, Michie S, et al Is prevalence of e-cigarette and nicotine replacement therapy use among smokers associated with average cigarette consumption in England? A time-series analysis BMJ Open 2018;8:e016046. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016046
Attempts to reduce alcohol intake and treatment needs among people with probable alcohol dependence in England: a general population survey
To compare the proportion of people in England with probable alcohol dependence (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test [AUDIT] score ≥ 20) with those with other drinking patterns (categorized by AUDIT scores) in terms of motivation to reduce drinking and use of alcohol support resources. A combination of random probability and simple quota sampling to conduct monthly cross‐sectional household computer‐assisted interviews between March 2014 and August 2017.
This Deansgate venue wants to throw a party for you - with 20% off room hire for a limited time only
What’s the point in being modest when you can have The Living Room? Distinct, innovative, ready and waiting to cater to your every demand (within reason), and they’re offering our readers an extra 20% off room hire throughout February – bye bye January blues! Read on to find your party discount code! Since opening in 1999, The Living Room has played host to many of Manchester’s movers and shakers – not to mention the odd footballer.
Raise a glass to Sailor Jerry with limited-edition spiced rum cocktails at Banyan Bar & Kitchen | I Love Manchester (MCR)
Raise a glass to the father of American old school tattooing, Norman ‘Sailor Jerry’ Collins, at Banyan Bar & Kitchen in the Corn Exchange. To celebrate his birthday (on 14 January he would be 107 years old), Banyan bar have teamed up with Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum – a bold, smooth-as-hell spiced rum inspired by its namesake’s legend – to pay homage to the man himself, offering limited edition cocktails until 4 February – and trust me, this is a birthday party you don’t want to pass on.
Comparison of brief interventions in primary care on smoking and excessive alcohol consumption: a population survey in England
AbstractBackground Brief interventions have a modest but meaningful effect on promoting smoking cessation and reducing excessive alcohol consumption.
Association between electronic cigarette use and changes in quit attempts, success of quit attempts, use of smoking cessation pharmacotherapy, and use of stop smoking services in England: time series analysis of population trends
Research Association between...
Real‐world effectiveness of e‐cigarettes when used to aid smoking cessation: a cross‐sectional population study
Abstract Background and Aims Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are rapidly increasing in popularity. Two randomized controlled trials have suggested that e-cigarettes can aid smoking cessation, but there are many factors that could influence their real-world effectiveness.
Sample size requirements to evaluate policies in addiction research using interrupted time series analysis (ITS): Tools and guidance
INTRODUCTION The gold standard to evaluate the causal effect of an intervention is through the conduction of randomised controlled trials. However, these have limitations in terms of cost and are also often unpractical when assessing interventions occurring in the real world.
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