Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Lung Function of Saudi Students

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the association between cigarette smoking and state of lung function among Saudi male students. A cross sectional study was conducted on a group of 680 male Saudi students. Detailed personal questionnaire, British Medical Research Council questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and smoking habit, were administered and forced spirometry and anthropometric measurements were conducted on them. Multiple regression models were used to study the cumulative effect of smoking on the function of the lung of smoking students. The percentage of cigarette smoking among the studied group was 20.29%. Smoking students had significantly lower values for lung function tests (FEV1%, FEF200-1200, FEF25-75, FEF75-85, and PEFR) compared to non-smokers. After controlling for other confounding variables, increased duration of smoking and number of cigarette smoked per day were significantly associated with more limitation of airflow in airways of the smoking young students. Recommendations were discussed accordingly.