Comparative study of pulmonary function variables in relation to type of smoking.

This study was intended to compare pulmonary function parameters in beedi smokers, cigarette smokers and subjects who smoked both beedi and cigarette on the basis of the dynamic ventilatory pulmonary function tests. The pulmonary function tests were done on 188 subjects which included, 48 beedi smokers, 48 cigarette smokers, 43 others who smoked both beedi as well as cigarette and 49 non-smokers (control). In beedi smokers the values of Forced Expiratory Volume in 1st second (FEV1), Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), Forced Expiratory Flow (FEF) 25%-75%, FEV1/FVC%, BMI and weight were significantly lower (P < 0.01) than those of cigarette smokers and non-smokers. Moreover, the Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Maximal Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) of beedi smokers were significantly (P < 0.0001) lower than those of non-smokers. It may be concluded that pulmonary functions are more affected in beedi smokers than in cigarette smokers.