Epidemiology of tobacco smoking and assessment of respiratory status of young men

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of tobacco smoking in healthy young men and to investigate smoking status, prevalence of respiratory symptoms and respiratory diseases and to measure lung function in smokers and non-smokers. Methods. This was a prospective cohort epidemiological study involving healthy male medical students. The participants fulfilled the GARD questionnaire. All participants underwent spirometry. Physical status was assesses with 1-km race time. Fagerstrom test of nicotine dependence was used in smokers. Results. The prevalence of tobacco smoking in young men was 20.9%. Smoking was started at the age of 16 – 20 years in 72.5%. Most smokers were mild smokers with low nicotine dependence and high motivation to continue smoking. Smokers more often had respiratory symptoms, acute respiratory infections, pneumonias, and allergy compared with healthy non-smokers. Conclusion. Based on the results of this study, thorough medical examinations of healthy young smokers is reasonable. Smoking cessation programs should be developed for this cohort.