Comparison of Pulmonary Function between Beedi, Cigarette and Combined Smoker

This study was aimed to compare pulmonary function parameters in beedi smokers, cigarette smokers and both a type of smokers on the basis of the pulmonary function tests. The pulmonary function tests were done on 447 subjects which included, 150 beedi smokers, 160 cigarette smokers, 137 who smoked both beedi as well as cigarette. In beedi smokers the values of Forced vital Capacity(FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1st second (FEV1), Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), Forced Expiratory Flow (FEF) 25%-75%, were significantly lower (P<0.01) than those of cigarette smokers and both a type of smokers. Moreover, the Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and FEV1 of beedi smokers were significantly (P<0.0001) lower than those of Cigarettes-smokers. It may be concluded that pulmonary functions are more affected in beedi smokers than in cigarette smokers and both a type of smokers.