Until law, GLP-1 drugs were used to treat diabetes, obesity and even the recent evidences suggest that it could as well be used to treat chronic kidney problems. There is yet another research, published in JAMA Psychiatry on February 25, titled Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial that explores if GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide reduce alcohol consumption and cravings in adults with alcohol use disorder.

What Do Studies Say?

The research was conducted over a period of 9 weeks, where in the randomized clinical trial, the participants who were administered semaglutide, it led to reductions in some but not all measures of weekly consumptions. It also reduced weekly alcohol and craving related to placebo, and also led to a greater relative reduction in cigarettes per day.

The research also found that weekly injections of semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in weight loss drugs like Wegovy also helped reduce cravings in people with alcohol use disorder.

The lead author Christian Hendershot said that these findings will help in developing new approaches to treat alcoholism. "Two drugs currently approved to reduce alcohol consumption aren't widely used. The popularity of Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists increases the chances of broad adoption of these treatments for alcohol use disorder," said Hendershot in news release by the University of Southern California's Institute for Addiction Research, where he is the director.

The study is government-funded research and was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, part of the National Institutes of Health.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The study was small, and took in account for only 48 adults over two months, thus experts say that it is not yet clear how safe these drugs are for people who do not need to lose weight. Though the results do add up with the evidence form animal studies on drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy on how it helps manage cravings, not just for food, but also for tobacco and alcohol. Scientists are also studying these drugs on smokers, people with opioid addiction and cocaine users.

Co-author Dr Klara Klein of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who treats people with obesity and diabetes said, "This is such promising data. And we need more of it. We frequently will hear that once people start these medications that their desire to drink is very reduced, if not completely abolished."

Why Does It Work So Well Against Alcoholism?

The GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking hormones GLP-1 in the gut and brain that regulates appetite and feelings of fullness. This response is what helps one lose weight, and what helps one curb their craving for alcohol. These drugs that mimic the functioning of your brain, which is responsible to tell your body when to stop consuming, are the same hormones that tell your body about other kinds of consumptions, including alcohol. Therefore by consuming the weight loss drugs one can treat alcohol use disorder.

However, the researchers have pointed out on the limited data on the research and have suggested to continue using the three approved drugs by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, namely, Disulfiram, Naltrexone, and Acamprosate to treat alcohol use disorder until large studies confirm these findings.

Once marketed as a safer alternative to cigarettes, research now shows that vapes carry serious health risks, including lung damage, meningitis, and cancer.

Unlike cigarettes, these devices are often ready to use, brightly colored, require little effort to activate, and appear more like toys than a harmful product. But due to its addictive flavor, people end up consuming more tobacco than those who smoke unflavored ones.

Globally, 33 countries ban the sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), a category that includes e-cigarettes and vapes, according to a 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) report. Another 87 countries regulate the sale of ENDS.

Malaysia has become the latest country to intensify efforts to curb vaping, with the Health Ministry launching a major crackdown on the online promotion and sale of smoking and vape products under Ops Selamat PaPa.

In a statement, the ministry said the operation aims to target the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of all types of smoking products, and protect the younger generation.

“Following its increasing and widespread use, this operation was launched to protect the younger generation from the dangers of smoking products, including electronic cigarettes and vaping,” the statement said.

“We take the complaints raised on social media over online advertising and sales of vape products suspected of violating the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) seriously," it added.

The Health Ministry said it had investigated 10 websites following the complaints and requested that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission block four of them under the provisions of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588). The remaining six websites are still under investigation, The Straits Times reported.

According to the ministry, as of April 30, a total of 34,903 enforcement operations had been carried out following inspections at 683,704 premises nationwide.

“We constantly monitor online advertising and promotion of tobacco products, including the sale of vapes. We wish to stress that there will be no compromise for those who violate laws,” the ministry said.

UK Parliament Bans Cigarettes and Vapes

The UK Parliament has passed a “landmark bill” to ban smoking among children who were born on or after 1 January 2009.

Under the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill, people aged 17 or younger face a lifelong ban on buying cigarettes. This includes a ban on selling vapes to anyone under 18 and selling them through vending machines.

Vaping A Major Threat Among Under-5s in the US

Vaping has been a serious concern in the United States, with New York Attorney General Letitia James in 2025 filing a lawsuit against e-cigarette manufacturers and distributors.

The lawsuit accused the companies of fueling a youth vaping crisis, alleging that these companies that manufacture vapes, especially with flavors, have misled consumers about the safety of their products while deliberately targeting young people through deceptive marketing.

An April 2026 study, published in JAMA Network Open, for the first time assessed trends in young children's nicotine exposures across all types of products.

Shockingly, electronic cigarette-related incidents increased 243 percent over the past eight years in young children, especially among those under five years of age, said researchers from the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

Vaping has also become a more common form of tobacco use among American middle and high school students.

As per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1.6 million students used e-cigarettes in 2024, with 87.6 percent of them opting for a flavored product.

One of the beloved football legends, Kevin Keegan, has revealed his ongoing fight with stage four cancer. The news of his health condition has brought on massive support and love from across the football-loving community. The man who inspired generations and contributed both as a player and manager comes forth and reveals that he is getting diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer, and the lethal disease has spread to his other body parts.

The news carried huge value as the former England captain himself talked about his health condition with his usual honesty and humor. The player hailed by his fans as "King Kev" addressed a huge audience in Newcastle. The 75-year-old veteran footballing genius unraveled his journey through the difficult times. His supporters also listened to his self-reflection on the situation completely in silence.

Former Newcastle forward and manager, standing at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House, said, "I was in a car accident and, through that, I had to have an operation. Whilst having the scan for the operation, they found out I had cancer. They said they had an absolute top doctor for fighting what you have got, which is stage four cancer."

"So I went to meet him. He's a Liverpool supporter, so I knew I wouldn't walk alone," he added and continued, "He said, 'Kevin, this new treatment, I've got a tremendous strike rate'. I said, "'What's your strike rate?' He said, '33%'. I thought it would be 80%, 90%. 33%!"

Keegan enjoyed great spells at Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton, and Newcastle during his illustrious career. Later, he led Newcastle, Fulham, England, and Manchester City.

The player, also popular for his perm hairstyle, was a famous face in British television as a guest on shows and part of an advertisement campaign. He also took part in a public information short-film teaching youngsters how to cross the road. He also brought several pop singles and had a memorable appearance on the television show Superstars.

Also Read: Potential 'Functional Cure' For Hepatitis B: Trial Give Hope To Millions

How To Reduce The Risk Of Cancer?

Consuming a healthy and balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can reduce cancer risk.

Regular physical activity keeps the body fit and reduces the risk of breast, colon, and endometrial cancers.

Smoking and alcohol consumption should be avoided.

Skin cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. Applying sunscreen with high SPF, finding shade, and avoiding tanning beds would save you from harmful ultraviolet rays.

Also Read: Space Grown Stem Cells: How Are Expedition 74 Astronauts Helping To Fight Cancer?

Long-term stress can weaken the immune system and may contribute to an increased risk of cancer. Incorporating stress-relief techniques such as mindfulness, practising deep-breathing exercises, and engaging in enjoyable hobbies can enhance overall well-being.

Exposure to environmental elements like pesticides, pollutants, and workplace chemicals can increase the risk of cancer. To avoid this risk, wearing protective gear, opting for organic produce, and ensuring adequate ventilation in living or working areas can greatly assist.

By vaccinating against Hepatitis B and HPV, individuals can protect themselves against infections closely linked to liver and cervical cancers; apart from vaccination, adopting proper hygiene practices and steering clear of high-risk activities can help prevent the risk of cancer-causing infections.

Bangladesh’s deadliest measles outbreak is showing no signs of abating. Since March, the highly infectious disease has claimed nearly 600 children, while suspected cases have crossed 72,000.

What is more worrying is that there are no signs of a slowdown despite nationwide vaccination efforts, and experts believe infections could surge further following increased transmission during the Eid Al-Adha homecoming period.

“Over the weekend, Bangladesh documented more than 1,300 suspected measles cases and two deaths, pushing the country’s tally to nearly 71,000 infections and 585 fatalities since the outbreak began in mid-March,” according to the Bangladeshi Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

As many as 56,886 suspected measles patients have been hospitalized in Bangladesh since March 15, of whom 52,841 have recovered, according to the DGHS, United News of Bangladesh reported.

“There is no sign of a downtrend in measles infection rate across the country,” Dr. Ariful Bashar from Mohakhali Contagious Disease Hospital told Arab News.

“Measles is a highly contagious disease, even six times more than COVID-19. Unless 95 percent immunity is achieved through vaccination, there will be no downtrend in the infection rate,” he added.

Also read: Measles Again On The Rise Globally: Is India At Risk?

Notably, millions of Bangladeshis travelled to their hometowns last week to celebrate Eid Al-Adha.

Bashar said that “as health protocols were not maintained properly”, the country is likely to “witness a future increase in the infection rate”.

The expert noted that Bangladesh also lacks facilities for efficient contact tracing of measles patients, which could further increase the spread of what he described as “the most contagious disease in the world”.

Hospitals Overwhelmed

Since March, hospitals across the country have been overwhelmed as they struggle to isolate and treat hundreds of children admitted every day.

Dr. Mirza Ziaul Islam, director of the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, told Arab News that “during the Eid travel period, it was not possible to keep infected patients isolated”, increasing the risk of further transmission.

Also read: India Concerned Over Measles Outbreak, Action Underway: Dr N K Arora| Exclusive

Most Cases And Deaths Among Young Children

Four out of five measles patients are younger than five years, according to The New York Times. The vast majority of deaths have also occurred in this age group, which is highly vulnerable to the airborne virus.

According to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Bangladesh had largely contained measles outbreaks since the 1990s through vaccination campaigns. However, immunization efforts were disrupted in 2024 after student-led protests overthrew the government.

The interim administration that governed Bangladesh until elections in late February did not conduct a supplementary mass vaccination campaign as recommended.

Last week, UNICEF said it had repeatedly warned the country’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, through written communications and meetings with Health Ministry officials about vaccine shortages that could trigger a major health crisis, local media reported.

Vaccination Drive Underway

In April, Bangladesh’s new government launched an emergency campaign to vaccinate 20 million children.

Although the campaign has reportedly achieved 110 percent of its target and remains ongoing, experts note that only one of the two doses required for strong and durable immunity has been administered so far.

In addition, it takes four to six weeks for immunity to develop after vaccination.

Outbreak Spreads Nationwide

The outbreak began in January in Rohingya refugee camps near the Myanmar border and quickly spread nationwide. It has now reached 58 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts, causing more than 21,000 hospitalisations.

In an April 23 update, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of a “considerable risk” of spread to Myanmar, where civil strife has disrupted immunisation efforts, and to India, which remains vulnerable. WHO described the outbreak as “a reversal from Bangladesh’s previous progress towards measles elimination.”