Background The evidence on the effects of chronic tobacco smoking on neuropsychological functions is conflicting. The literature remains limited by inconsistent accounting for potentially confounding biomedical and psychiatric conditions. This study aimed to assess the neuropsychological functions of adult chronic tobacco smokers in comparison to group-matched non-smokers. Method The study included 73 smokers and 84 group-matched non-smokers. The data was collected during the year 2019. After an initial interview to collect demographics and smoking profile, the subjects undertook neuropsychological assessments that targeted a wide range of cognitive domains. Results The performance of smokers was poorer on almost all neuropsychological domains, namely selective attention (p ≤ .001, p = .044), alternating attention (p = .002) working memory (p ≤ .001), Short-term memory (p = .006 and .003), Long-term memory (p ≤ .001), processing accuracy (p ≤ .001), and executive function (p = .011 and .026). Smokers were intact on processing speed. Smoking accumulation and lower age onset of regular smoking were correlated with lower neuropsychological function. Conclusion Our findings add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that chronic tobacco smoking impacts cognition negatively.

Background: The evidence on the effects of chronic tobacco smoking on neuropsychological functions is conflicting. The literature remains limited by inconsistent accounting for potentially confounding biomedical and psychiatric conditions. This study aimed to assess the neuropsychological functions of adult chronic tobacco smokers in comparison to healthy matched-subjects’ controls. Method: The study included 73 smokers and 84 matched-subject non-smoker controls. The data was collected during the year 2019. After an initial interview to collect demographics and smoking profile, the subjects undertook neuropsychological assessments that targeted a wide range of cognitive domains. Results: The performance of smokers was poorer on almost all neuropsychological domains, namely selective attention (p ≤ .001, p =.044), alternating attention (p = .002) working memory (p ≤ .001), Short-term memory (p = .006 and .003), Long-term memory (p ≤ .001), processing accuracy (p ≤ .001), and executive function (p = .011 and .026). Smokers were intact on processing speed. smoking accumulation and the age onset of regular smoking we negatively correlated with neuropsychological function. Conclusion: Our findings add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that chronic tobacco smoking impacts negatively on cognition.

Gram-positive, arrowhead (lancet) shaped cells arranged in pairs and short chains. Some pneumococci are encapsulated with complex polysaccharides. Encapsulated organisms are pathogenic, while pneumococci without capsular polysaccharides are not pathogenic. 2 Pneumococcus may cause different diseases at different places, including ear infections and meningitis (Figure 1). 2

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