A preliminary study of smokeless tobacco on cardio-respiratory fitness

Abstract

Background: Smokeless tobacco has been advocated as a substitute for cigarette smoking. On the contrary, the use of smokeless tobacco is fraught with health risk and needs to be discouraged. Although previous reports have described long-term harmful effects of smokeless tobacco on various body parameters, little is known about short-term effects of smokeless tobacco on cardio-respiratory parameters. Very few studies have been undertaken on the effect of short-term use of smokeless tobacco in India on cardio-respiratory parameters of youngsters. This aspect of use of smokeless tobacco needs to be attended to. Material and Methods: The present study has been undertaken to study the effect of smokeless tobacco on cardio-respiratory fitness tests in young healthy tobacco chewers compared to age- and sex-matched nontobacco chewing healthy controls. Various cardio-respiratory parameters like resting HR, delta HR, MVV, VE max, VO 2 max were studied by using treadmill exercise testing and computerized spirometry. Results: In the present study no statistically significant difference was found in any parameter studied that can be attributed to the residual effect of short-term use of smokeless tobacco. Conclusion: This is the reason enough to discourage smokeless tobacco from this unhealthy habit at this early stage itself before permanent residual effects on health is seen.