CIGARETTE-SMOKING AND SLEEP DISTURBANCE

Background: Individuals with sleep complaints often exhibit unhealthy lifestyles, including obesity, excessive alcohol use, lack of physical exercise, and cigarette smoking. We sought to explore the relationshi p between cigarette smoking, poor sleep habits, and sleep complaints. Several lines of evidence suggest a relationship between cigarette smo king and sleep disturbance, including the effects of nicotine and nico tine withdrawal on sleep, a tendency for nonsmokers to be more alert i n the morning, an association between cigarette smoking and snoring, a nd a tendency for individuals who engage in one unhealthy behavior als o to engage in others. Method: A total of 484 individuals aged 14 to 8 4 years completed a comprehensive sleep and health questionnaire. Ther e were 99 high school students from grades 9 through 12 (45 boys and 5 4 girls, of whom 38 [38%] were smokers), who completed an in-class sur vey. In addition, 385 adults aged 20 to 84 years (122 men and 263 wome n, of whom 77 [20%] were smokers) from a random sample of 1000 complet ed a mail survey. The effects of age and smoking status on sleep, heal th, and daytime function were assessed by multivariate analysis of var iance. Results: Cigarette smokers were significantly more likely than nonsmokers to report problems going to sleep, problems staying asleep, daytime sleepiness, minor accidents, depression, and high daily caffe ine intake. Conclusion: Individuals with sleep complaints should be qu eried about tobacco use. Those who are smokers should be advised that there is a relationship between cigarette smoking and sleep disturbanc e.