Kanegodwin1594

To estimate the prevalence of illicit tobacco trade (ITT) and different ITT modes-tax stamp counterfeiting and smuggling-in Argentina.

Cross-sectional study using an empty tobacco pack survey with a simple random cluster sampling design. Classification as licit/illicit using forensic analysis of tax stamps and packs and econometric modelling.

Cities of Buenos Aires, La Matanza, Cordoba, Rosario, Mendoza, Neuquen, Posadas, Salta; January-June 2019.

Of a total sample of 15 658 packs, 83.2% were manufactured in Argentina and 16.8% were foreign packs. Overall ITT prevalence-weighted by district population size-was estimated at 13.7%, where 6.1% was attributable to stamp counterfeiting-that is, a forged stamp not issued by the national tax authority-and 7.6% to contraband smuggling of foreign cigarette packs-that is, illicit trade of packs across national borders.

The ITT problem in Argentina seems to be equally represented by counterfeiting of tobacco tax stamps on packs with domestic features and smuggd products, particularly from Paraguay. Reducing ITT is necessary to ensure the effectiveness of tobacco taxation measures.

One of the opposing arguments to restricting or banning the sale of tobacco products stem from a perception that this would adversely impact on small retail stores that rely on tobacco sales for viability. It has also been argued that purchases of tobacco leads to unplanned purchasing of other items that yield income for small store owners. This study tested the veracity of these arguments in the Australian context.

Consumer intercept surveys (n=1487) were conducted outside a comprehensive sample of small stores (n=136) selling tobacco in lower socioeconomic suburbs. Data were collected over a 2-hour period outside each store using the same methodology (36% consumer response rate). Descriptive statistics examined the proportion of tobacco and non-tobacco purchases and most common products purchased.

Purchasing tobacco was the primary motivation for store visits for only 3% of consumers. The vast majority of products purchased (92%) were not tobacco, with hot food, groceries and lottery tickets most frequent. Only 8% of consumers purchased tobacco. When unplanned purchasing patterns were compared, consumers' who purchased tobacco were no more likely to buy other products.

Tobacco purchasing was rarely the reason for store visits, indicating that it is not a key driver of consumer foot traffic for small retailers. selleck inhibitor There was also no evidence that tobacco contributes to spontaneous purchases of other products that might bring retailers profit. Findings suggest that restricting the retail availability of tobacco would be unlikely to have a pronounced negative impact on small retail stores.

Tobacco purchasing was rarely the reason for store visits, indicating that it is not a key driver of consumer foot traffic for small retailers. There was also no evidence that tobacco contributes to spontaneous purchases of other products that might bring retailers profit. Findings suggest that restricting the retail availability of tobacco would be unlikely to have a pronounced negative impact on small retail stores.This pilot study tested whether the addition of motivational interviewing (MI) prior to group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety may improve the effectiveness of the treatment. Prior to group CBT, 40 individuals with a principal diagnosis of an anxiety disorder (40% panic disorder, 25% generalized anxiety disorder, 22.5% social phobia, and 12.5% others) were randomly assigned to receive either three individual sessions of MI or were assigned to a control group that did not receive MI. The pretreatment MI group, compared to the control group, experienced significantly greater reduction in anxiety symptoms post-CBT. These results suggest that brief MI pretreatment enhances the efficacy of CBT on anxiety. A combination of MI and CBT may be particularly promising for the treatment of anxiety, with MI directed at increasing motivation and commitment to change, and CBT directed at helping the client achieve the desired changes.College cannabis use continues to rise, yet few students voluntarily seek treatment for cannabis use, despite use-related problems. Thus, the campus judicial system may be one way to identify high-risk cannabis users and intervene with them. Despite research indicating that brief motivational interventions (BMIs) decrease risky alcohol use among students sanctioned for psychological services following campus alcohol policies violations, extant data do not support BMI for students who violate cannabis polices. Thus, the aims of this review paper are to (a) review the extant literature of BMI for cannabis use among sanctioned students, (b) discuss some unique issues concerning BMI for cannabis use, and (c) provide case examples of promising novel ways BMI may be used to address unique needs of these students. Given the wide range of cannabis use and related problems experienced by these students, personalized approaches to BMI-based interventions may improve outcomes for these students.Evidence indicates that motivation early in treatment is critical to treatment outcome, and motivational interviewing (MI) has addressed this finding by helping individuals work through ambivalence about change. Not only has it demonstrated improvements in treatment outcome across treatment populations and settings, it has been adapted with success into brief motivational interventions. This special issue explores the use of MI with populations at great risk for ambivalence in therapy, including college students violating campus policy, individuals who have been trafficked, and individuals in exposure therapy. The papers further highlight the versatility of MI-based interventions, as well as their limitations, that may help inform future directions for adapting MI as we move toward digital and web-based interventions.

Chemsex (drug use to enhance sex) has emerged among men who have sex with men (MSM). Non-consensual sex (NCS) is hypothesised to occur frequently under the influence of chemsex, however data are scarce. In this cross-sectional study, it was aimed to assess whether NCS is associated with chemsex.

We offered a survey about chemsex in the past 6 months (crystal methamphetamine, mephedrone and/or gamma-hydroxybutyrate/gamma-butyrolacton use) and NCS (sexual experiences beyond one's limits or unpleasant sexual experiences) in the past 5 years to Amsterdam-located gay dating platform users. Associations were assessed using χ² test, Fisher's exact test and multivariable logistic regression.

Of 891 participants, 30.6% (273 of 891) engaged in chemsex; 21.2% engaging and 16.7% not engaging in chemsex reported any NCS experiences (p=0.109).Among MSM who reported any NCS experiences, chemsex engagers reported being touched against one's will less often compared with non-engagers (22.4% vs 39.8%; p=0.036). Yet, chemsex engagers reported passing out and not remembering what happened during drug use more often (41.