Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to monitor the intensity and difference in Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) between smokers and passive smokers.
 Methods: A total of 1000 participants were enrolled in two groups as smokers and passive smokers who are living closely with smokers. Their PEFR values were measured with Wright’s mini peak flow meter. The influence of smoking on the lung function among smokers and passive smokers were assessed with a suitable statistical test.
 Results: Among the study participants, most of the smokers were in the age group of 31 to 60 and 31 to 50 in passive smokers. Based on the lung function smokers (31%) and passive smokers (19.2%) were in the red zone, PEFR was decreased in both smokers as well as passive smokers, and the magnitude of decline was higher in passive smoking elderly individuals. The impact of passive smoking was significantly observed in all the categories of smoking history they are living with.
 Conclusion: Smokers and passive smokers have equally deleterious effects on PEFR. Where passive smoking emerged as the main variable to influence airway obstruction in smokers that caused a greater reduction in PEFR.
Highlights
Tobacco use is the leading cause of death and according to the WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, in 2017 there were 2.7 billion people still lacking protection from the illness, disability, and death caused by tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure [1]
Passive smoking is known to be deleterious for human health as compared with first-hand smoking, especially the respiratory system; it is important to identify the risk for individual second-hand smokers and to create awareness among them
The subjects included as passive smokers were those who were exposed to cigarette smoke at home or the workplace
Summary
Tobacco use is the leading cause of death and according to the WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, in 2017 there were 2.7 billion people still lacking protection from the illness, disability, and death caused by tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure [1]. WHO estimated that almost one-half of the world’s children (nearly 700 million) are exposed to tobacco smoke from the adults, where the major exposure takes place at home [2]. About 40% of children, 33% of male non-smokers and 35% of female non-smokers were exposed to second-hand smoke in 2004 globally [3]. Children exposed to second-hand smoke may lead to respiratory illnesses as a result of adverse effects on their immune system and lung growth and development [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
