Smoking cessation, lung function, and weight gain: a follow-up study

The Lancet: "Smoking cessation, lung function, and weight gain: a follow-up study"
Only one population-based study in one country has reported effects of smoking cessation and weight change on lung function, and none has reported the net effect. We estimated the net benefit of smoking cessation, and the independent effects of smoking and weight change on change in ventilatory lung function in the international European Community Respiratory Health Survey.
Methods

6654 participants in 27 centres had lung function measured in 1991–93, when aged 20–44 years, and in 1998–2002. Smoking information was obtained from detailed questionnaires. Changes in lung function were analysed by change in smoking and weight, adjusted for age and height, in men and women separately and together with interaction terms.

Interpretation

Smoking cessation is beneficial for lung function, but maximum benefit needs control of weight gain, especially in men.