Improvement in pulmonary function following smoking cessation.

This study investigated improvement in pulmonary function following smoking cessation. It employed three indices of lung function that are sensitive to improvement following smoking cessation and that can be easily assessed within a clinical setting: maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMF), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and forced vital capacity (FVC). Smoking status was verified by saliva thiocyanate analysis. Significant improvement in MMF was evident after 3 months of cessation and was maintained at the 6-month follow-up. This study demonstrates that significant improvement in at least one parameter of lung function occurs within the time span typically used in smoking cessation programs.