The Reduction of Tuberculosis Risks by Smoking Cessation

(Access to Coverage of Tobacco Treatment In Our Nation)

Smoking is known to aggravate tuberculosis (TB), but such information has been ignored in clinical practice, as it was not thought to be relevant. The aim of a new study by Taiwanese researchers is to assess the benefits of smoking cessation on TB mortality reduction.

The study concluded that smokers had very high TB mortality, as much as nine times those who had never smoked, but once they quit, the risk reduced substantially and was similar to those who never smoked. Among those without self-reported TB history, smoking increased TB mortality by nine-fold (HR=8.56), but when they quit smoking, the risk was reduced by more than half (65%), to a level not different from those who had never smoked.

Given the high smoking prevalence and the high hazard risk, smoking accounted for more than one-third (37.7%) of TB mortality in Taiwan. Smokers reported less TB history but died more from TB than those who had never smoked.

For more information:
http://7thspace.com/headlines/346915/the_reduction_of_tuberculosis_risks_by_smoking_cessation.html

National Working Group for ACTTION

Partnership for Prevention

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