Smoking, Socioeconomic Status, and Chronic Respiratory Disease^1,2

Abstract

Prevalence rates of chronic bronchitis and asthma and mean levels of ventilatory lung function were related to age, smoking habits, occupation, education, and income in 4,699 men and women living in Tecumseh, Michigan. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was higher and mean levels of 1-sec forced expiratory volume were lower in cigarette smokers than in other men and women, and heavy smokers were affected more than light smokers. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was higher and mean 1-sec forced expiratory volume was lower in blue collar workers than in white collar workers. Men and women with some college education had higher mean values for 1-sec forced expiratory volume than did those with less formal education, and the prevalence of chronic bronchitis was least among men with most education. Mean levels of 1-sec forced expiratory volume were slightly lower in those with the smallest incomes. There were no significant associations between the prevalence of asthma and smoking habits, occupation, education, or income. Most of the differences in the prevalence of chronic bronchitis and mean 1-sec forced expiratory volume in men and women of different occupational, educational, or income classes were due to differences in smoking habits. In comparison with smoking, poor occupational, educational, or economic circumstances had only a weak deleterious effect.

Gender difference in smoking effects on adult pulmonary function

“…However, earlier studies in which voluntary quitting smoking rate was low, showed that the level of FEV 1 in former smokers was generally the lowest [5,21,22]. Our analysis is consistent with these earlier studies.…”

Relationships of active smoking to asthma and asthma severity in the EGEA study

“…The lack of relation of asthma to exsmoking in relatives, although it was observed in the case/control component of the EGEA and although weaker in several general populations [4,22], supports the hypothesis that the pattern of smoking in families with asthmatics is complex. In the general population, it is well known that there is assortative marriage for smoking habits and that smoking habits in offspring are strongly influenced by parental smoking, but there is limited information on smoking habits in families with asthma.…”

“…It is recognized that maternal smoking is a risk factor for asthma in children [2] and that smoking increases the incidence of asthma in subjects exposed to some occupational agents [3]. However, there is conflicting evidence as to whether active smoking in general may be a risk factor for asthma, although there are more studies showing no association [4] than studies supporting that hypothesis [5]. The association between smoking and asthma is difficult to understand due to potential biases.…”

Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Asthma in Adults

“…However, with regard to an association of active smoking with asthma, the cross-sectional data are more equivocal. Cross-sectional studies, which are again subject to potential selection bias, have yielded both positive (14) and negative results (15)(16)(17). Longitudinal data, which are less subject to the potential of selection bias, are unequivocal in supporting a role of active smoking in asthma occurrence (18,19 1.6, 5.6) and current asthma (OR = 3.3; 95% CI: 1.7, 6.4).…”