BackgroundThe relationship between smoking and an increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases is well known. Whether smokeless tobacco (snuff) is related to myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke is still controversial. Aim of this study was to explore whether snuff users have an increased incidence of MI or stroke.MethodsA total of 16 754 women and 10 473 men (aged 45–73 years), without history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), belonging to the population-based "Malmö Diet and Cancer" study were examined. Incidence of MI and stroke were monitored over 10.3 years.ResultsSnuff was used by 737 (7.0%) men and 75 (0.4%) women, respectively. Among men, snuff was significantly associated with low occupation level, single civil status, high BMI and with current and former smoking. In women, snuff was associated with lower systolic blood pressure. A total of 964 individuals (3.5%), i.e.544 men (5.3%) and 420 (2.5%) women suffered a MI during the follow-up period. The corresponding numbers of incident stroke cases were 1048, i.e. 553 men (5.3%) and 495 (3.0%) women, respectively. Snuff was not associated with any statistically significant increased risk of MI or stroke in men or women. The relative risks (RR) in male snuff users compared to non-users were 1.05 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.8–1.4, p = 0.740) for incident MI and 0.97 (0.7–1.4, p = 0.878) for stroke, after taking age and potential confounders into account. In women none of the 420 (2.5%) women who were snuff users had a MI and only one suffered a stroke during the follow-up.ConclusionSeveral life-style risk factors were more prevalent in snuff-users than in non-users. However, the present study does not support any relationship between snuff and incidence of cardiovascular disease in men.

Abstract. Janzon E, Hedblad B, Berglund G, Engström G (Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden). Changes in blood pressure and body weight following smoking cessation in women. Objective. Few have studied the long-term effects of smoking and smoking cessation on weight gain and blood pressure increase and compared with the age-related increases experienced by most adults. This study compared the development of weight and blood pressure in female never smokers, continuing smokers and smokers who quit smoking. Design. Weight, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure and smoking habits were assessed at baseline and re-assessed after a mean follow-up of 9.0 ± 5.8 years. Setting. Population-based cohort. Subjects. A total of 2381 female never smokers and 1550 female smokers. At the re-examination, 388 of the smokers had quit smoking. Results. Mean weight gain was 7.6 ± 6.1, 3.2 ± 5.8 and 3.7 ± 5.2 kg, respectively, in quitters, continuing smokers and never smokers (P < 0.001). In women without blood pressure treatment, mean SBP increase was 20.9 ± 16.8, 19.1 ± 15.8 and 16.1 ± 16.3 mmHg, respectively, in these groups (P < 0.001). Mean DBP increase was 6.2 ± 8.7, 5.7 ± 9.3 and 3.1 ± 8.0 mmHg, respectively (P < 0.001). After adjustments for potential confounders, the increased weight gain in quitters remained highly significant. The differences in SBP and DBP increase were attenuated after adjustments, but remained significant. Incidence of hypertension ( ‡ 160/95 mmHg or treatment) was significantly higher in quitters [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.8; CI: 1.4-2.5] when compared with continuing smokers (OR: 1.3; CI: 1.07-1.6) and never smokers (reference). Conclusion. Over a long follow-up, weight gain was approximately 3-4 kg higher in quitters when compared with continuing smokers or never smokers. Although the differences in blood pressure increase were moderate, smoking cessation was associated with an increased incidence of hypertension.

Institutional (vertical) trust in the healthcare system but not the mass media was significantly associated with lower odds of daily smoking and higher odds of having quit smoking if ever smoker. The healthcare system seems to be a potent arena for tobacco prevention.

Abstract. Janzon E, Hedblad B, Berglund G, Engström G (Department of Community Medicine; and Department of Medicine, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden). Tobacco and myocardial infarction in middle-aged women: a study of factors modifying the risk. J Intern Med 2004; 256: 111-118. Background. Although myocardial infarction (MI)is strongly related to smoking, few have studied why some smokers are more vulnerable than others. This study explored how the risk of MI in current and former smokers is modified by other cardiovascular risk factors. Methods. Incidence of MI (fatal and nonfatal) amongst 10619 women, 48.3 ± 8.2 years old, were studied in relation to smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes, marital status and occupational level over a mean follow-up of 14 years. Results. Of the 3738 smokers, one-third had at least one major biological risk factor besides smoking; 228 women had MI during follow-up. Smoking and hypertension showed a synergistic effect on incidence of MI. The adjusted relative risks (RR) were 12.2 (95% CI: 7.5-19.8) for smokers with

COHb% varied widely between never-smoking men in this urban population. Incidence of CV disease and death in non-smokers was related to COHb%. It is suggested that measurement of COHb% could be part of the risk assessment in non-smoking patients considered at risk of cardiac disease. In random samples from the general population COHb% could be used to assess the size of the population exposed to second-hand smoke.