RATES OF DECLINE IN LUNG-FUNCTION AMONG SUBJECTS WHO RESTART CIGARETTE-SMOKING

Several studies have demonstrated that smokers who are able to break t he habit generally experience reductions in respiratory symptoms and i mprovement in pulmonary function; however, far less attention has been given to smokers who are unsuccessful in their attempts at quitting, Recent reports have suggested that these subjects (restarters) may hav e steeper rates of decline in pulmonary function than subjects never a ttempting to quit smoking. In this study, we compared rates of decline in FEV(1) between restarters and subjects who remained current, eg-sm okers, or never-smokers throughout the observation period. The results showed that, in both sexes, subjects who attempt to quit the habit an d then restart have significantly steeper rates of decline in their FE V(1) than subjects who continue smoking uninterrupted, Female restarte rs also have significantly steeper rates of decline in FEV(1) than ex- smokers. These effects were independent of the amount smoked and respi ratory diseases.