Women smokers 'suffer more'

Smoking may have a greater effect on women

Smoking causes more breathing difficulties in women than in men, new research has found.

A survey covering over 65,000 people found respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and breathlessness were higher among women smokers than men smokers.

Smokers were twice as likely to have breathing problems as non-smokers and the longer the smoking habit the greater the chance of having symptoms.

The study in the Norwegian county of Nord-Trondelag concluded that "women seemed to be more susceptible to the effect of tobacco smoking than men".

The team from Norway' s National Institute of Public Health believe that women draw just as heavily on cigarettes as men so that, size for size, women's airways are exposed to higher concentrations of dangerous substances.

In all 12.7% of men and 12.2% of women in the study reported symptoms such as wheezing and breathlessness.

Thirty per cent of men were smokers and 31% of women.

More asthma

Women smokers reported higher rates of asthma than men, with the prevalence of asthma in women increasing with increasing numbers of cigarettes smoked.

The asthma rate was more than one in 10 among those women smoking more than 20 cigarettes a day.

We need to look at what influences women to smoke and particularly what can be done to address the high levels of smoking among low income groups

Patti White, Health Development Agency

However, the correlation between rates of asthma and the number of cigarettes smoked was not found in men.

Writing in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, the researchers speculate that the high levels of smoking in young women and the apparent susceptibility of women to the effects of smoking could mean a "future increase in serious smoke related diseases".

Patti White, public health adviser at the Health Development Agency, said there is growing evidence of women's vulnerability to tobacco smoke.

Recent research has confirmed a more marked increase in serious smoking-related diseases such as emphysema and bronchitis in women than in men.

And adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer, is more prevalent in women, possibly because of a hormonal link.

'More research needed'

Work is ongoing around the UK to try to support those who want to quit smoking, but a lot more work needs to be done, she said.

"We need to look at what influences women to smoke and particularly what can be done to address the high levels of smoking among low income groups and groups such as single mothers."

The National Asthma Campaign has also called for more to be done to address the complex issues involved.

A spokeswoman said there is overwhelming evidence that smoking is a common trigger for asthma attacks and reduced lung function.

"This study reinforces the importance of trigger avoidance and the importance of targeted and on going health education campaigns to discourage people from starting smoking in the first place."