The following is a summary of “Respiratory symptoms and outcomes among cigar smokers: findings from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study waves 2–5 (2014–2019),” published in the April 2024 issue of Pulmonology by Sharma et al.
Understanding the intricate mechanisms underlying the heightened risk of respiratory diseases attributable to cigarette smoking has been extensively explored. However, there is a gap in the understanding of the respiratory symptoms and outcomes associated with cigar smoking, with scant attention given to variations among different types of cigars. To address this knowledge deficit, the study aimed to elucidate the associations between cigar use, including traditional cigars, cigarillos, filtered cigars, and concurrent use of cigars and cigarettes, and functionally significant respiratory symptoms (FIRS), lifetime asthma diagnosis, uncontrolled asthma, and the onset of new FIRS.
Employing data from Waves 2–5 (2014–19) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, a nationally representative longitudinal investigation, the analysis unfolded in two distinct facets. Firstly, through cross-sectional analysis, the researchers scrutinized data from adults aged 18 and older across each wave, culminating in a sample size of 44,040 observations. Subsequently, longitudinal analyses were conducted among adults aged 18 and older at Wave 2, yielding a cohort of 7,930 individuals. Both analyses meticulously excluded adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or non-asthma respiratory diseases to ensure precision in the findings.
The results illuminated compelling associations between cigar use and respiratory health outcomes. Notably, currently established cigarillo smokers exhibited elevated odds of FIRS compared to non-smokers of cigarillos and cigarettes, even after accounting for relevant covariates. Similarly, presently established users of filtered cigars demonstrated heightened odds of asthma diagnosis, while those engaged in dual consumption of filtered cigars and cigarettes displayed increased odds of uncontrolled asthma. Furthermore, both current established cigar smokers and dual smokers of cigars and cigarettes manifested elevated odds of new FIRS compared to individuals who abstained from cigar or cigarette use altogether.
In conclusion, the study underscores the pronounced health risks associated with cigar smoking and dual use of cigars and cigarettes, particularly concerning respiratory health outcomes. These findings not only inform policy development but also underscore the imperative for targeted clinical interventions aimed at smoking cessation among cigar users.
Source: respiratory-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12931-024-02818-x