Smoking habits and their relationship to chronic lung disease in a tropical environment in Papua new Guinea
Anderson, H.R.
Bulletin de Physio-Pathologie Respiratoire 10(5): 619-633
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0007-439X PMID: 4441755 Document Number: 509952
A community study of respiratory disease on Karkar Island sampled 1734 people. Both sexes showed abnormalities, especially those over 35 years. 33% had a positive loose cough, 29% had adventitious sounds, and 11% had persistent cough. Smoking was universal by age 30. A local cigar made from the same type of tobacco (Brus) as commercial cigarettes (Nicotiana tobaccum) was the favorite smoke. Store bought cigarettes were used by 8% men, .8% women. 1.8% men and 12% women who smoked local tobacco inhaled, compared to 56% men who smoked commercial tobacco. Inhalers showed a higher frequency of symptoms than noninhalers. Nonsmokers had consistently higher values for lung function tests. However, differences in lung function were significant only in the FEV percentage in women. Wider use of commercial tobacco will likely increase inhalation leading to an increase in lung disease.