ABSTRACT
In Saudi Arabia, no studies have been conducted on the correlation between any possible cigarette's price increase and its effects on cigarette consumption. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cigarette smoking in Saudi Arabia and to predict the effect of price increase on cigarette consumption. A cross-sectional study was conducted in April and May 2013. We developed an Arabic questionnaire with information on demographic and socioeconomic factors, smoking history, and personal opinion on the effect of price increase on cigarette consumption. The questionnaire was distributed in public places such as malls and posted on famous Saudi athlete media's twitter accounts. Among the 2057 included responses, 802 [39%] were current smokers. The smokers' population constituted of 746 [92%] males, of which 546 [68%] had a monthly income equal or greater to 800 US dollars, and 446 [55%] were aged between 21 and 30 years. Multivariate analyses of the risk factors for smoking showed that male gender and older age were associated with greater risk. Despite the current low prices of 2.67 US dollars, 454 smokers [56%] thought that cigarette prices are expensive. When asked about the price of cigarettes that will lead to smoking cessation, 443 smokers [55%] expected that a price of 8.27 US dollars and more per pack will make them quit. Increasing the price of popular cigarettes pack from 2.67 US dollars to 8.27 US dollars is expected to lead to smoking cessation in a large number of smokers in the Saudi population
ABSTRACT
Matrix metalloproteinases [MMPs] are a family of enzymes that degrade various components of the extracellular matrix and are involved in the development and progression of cancer. Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Lebanon. MMP1 is responsible for degrading stromal collagens, which enhance the ability of neoplastic cells to cross basal membrane of both the endothelium and the vascular endothelium. A recent meta-analysis has suggested that the MMP1-1607 2G allele may be associated with an increased risk for certain types of cancers. This study was undertaken to investigate the association between guanine insertion polymorphism in the MMP1 promoter and the susceptibility to lung cancer in the Lebanese population. This case-control study was conducted on 41 patients with lung cancer and 51 age-matched healthy controls, recruited from different regions of Lebanon. Cases were histologically confirmed lung cancer patients obtained from different hospitals in Lebanon. Controls were healthy unrelated individuals with no history of cancer or genetic diseases. All subjects were genotyped for MMP1 -1607[1G>2G] polymorphism using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method [PCR-RFLP]. No statistically significant differences were found when genotype and allele distribution of MMP1 -1607[1G>2G] polymorphism were compared between patients with lung cancer and controls [P= 0.6 by chi-squared test on a 3x2 contingency table; allelic P=0.61, OR [95% CI] = 1.18 [0.60-2.31]]. Our data shows that MMP1 promoter polymorphism is not associated with lung cancer susceptibility in the Lebanese population