Support for a point-of-sale cigarette display ban among smokers: Findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey

Background Displaying tobacco products at point-of-sale (PoS) has become an important marketing strategy for the tobacco industry. This study was designed to (1) examine how support for a PoS cigarette display ban changed among Dutch smokers between 2010 and 2015 and (2) identify the variables that predict support among smokers for a PoS cigarette display ban. Methods Longitudinal data from six annual survey waves (2010-2015) from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey were analyzed. The sample consisted of between 1279 and 1800 smokers per year. Smokers were asked whether they supported a complete ban on displays of cigarettes inside shops and stores. Results Support for a PoS cigarette display ban increased from 28.9% in 2010 to 42.5% in 2015 (OR = 1.40, p < 0.001). A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that support for a PoS display ban of cigarettes was more likely among smokers who had more knowledge about the health risks of smoking (OR = 3.97, p < 0.001), believed smoking-related health risks to be severe (OR = 1.39, p < 0.001), had a more positive attitude towards quitting smoking (OR = 1.44, p = 0.006), reported stronger social norms to quit smoking (OR = 1.29, p = 0.035), had a higher self-efficacy for quitting smoking (OR = 1.31, p = 0.001), and had stronger intentions to quit smoking (OR = 1.23, p = 0.006). Conclusions This paper showed that support for a PoS display ban of cigarettes increased among smokers in the Netherlands over the years. To further increase support, educational campaigns about the dangers of smoking, and campaigns that encourage quitting may be needed

Optimization of the interaction between ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers and human endothelial cells

To better understand and optimize the fine interactions that occur during adhesion events between human cells and synthetic materials, we seeded human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) onto ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer films prepared by casting. Different adhesive proteins, e.g. fibronectin and gelatin, and the monoclonal antibody (MoAb) CLB-HEC19 specific for the endothelial cell membrane were used to coat the materials. We used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to analyse the EVOH film structure, to test its planarity and homogeneity, before seeding it with endothelial cells. The metabolic changes induced in the endothelial cells by interactions with the copolymer functional groups and the adhesive proteins were monitored by a micro-electronic pH sensor, positioned close to the HUVEC monolayer. We found that the adhesion of HUVEC onto various substrates was finely modulated by the MoAb CLB-HEC19 and that the endothelial cell metabolic rate was enhanced when cultured onto a CLB-HEC19 coating. Surface roughness seems also to play a role in the interaction with HUVEC. The AFM measurement analysis demonstrated that L6 surface is rougher than R20. These surface characteristics could favou cell adhesion; in fact HUVEC adhesion results on R20 were significantly lower than on L6. To better understand and optimize the fine interactions that occur during adhesion events between human cells and synthetic materials, we seeded human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) onto ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer films prepared by casting. Different adhesive proteins, e.g. fibronectin and gelatin, and the monoclonal antibody (MoAb) CLB-HEC19 specific for the endothelial cell membrane were used to coat the materials. We used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to analyse the EVOH film structure, to test its planarity and homogeneity, before seeding it with endothelial cells. The metabolic changes induced in the endothelial cells by interactions with the copolymer functional groups and the adhesive proteins were monitored by a micro-electronic pH sensor, positioned close to the HUVEC monolayer. We found that the adhesion of HUVEC onto various substrates was finely modulated by the MoAb CLB-HEC19 and that the endothelial cell metabolic rate was enhanced when cultured onto a CLB-HEC19 coating. Surface roughness seems also to play a role in the interaction with HUVEC. The AFM measurement analysis demonstrated that L6 surface is rougher than R20. These surface characteristics could favour cell adhesion; in fact HUVEC adhesion results on R20 were significantly lower than on L6