The influence of smoking on the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among young people

Background. Smoking is a preventable risk factor of chronic respiratory diseases.

Aim. To study the incidence of smoking and assess its impact on the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the young population.

Methods. Based on the GA²LEN questionnaire, a survey of 1252 residents of one Moscow district aged 15–24 years was conducted (response rate — 85.0%). The statistical analysis was performed using the Statistica software package, version 10; EPINFO, version 7 (WHO).

Results. The incidence of smoking was 13.2% among men and 13.0% among women (p=0.895). Regular smoking in young people is registered from the age of 10 years and older. The intensity of smoking was higher in men than in women. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms in smokers (S) was higher than that in non-smokers (NS). 19.1% of NS and 26.3% (p<0.001) of S among men, as well as 15.9% of NS and 29.5% of S (p<0.001) among women noted wheezing in the chest; 30.3% of S and 19.3% of NS (p<0.001) among men and 33.0% of NS and 38.6% of S (p=0.009) among women experienced symptoms of allergic rhinitis in the last 12 months; 20.3% of NS and 25.0% of S (p=0.012) among men and 18.1% of NS and 27.3% of S (p<0.001) among women had nasal congestion for at least 12 weeks.

Conclusions. The adverse effects of smoking on the respiratory health of young people requires an active prevention to reduce the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and the severity of chronic respiratory diseases.