Effects of handrolled unfiltered cigarettes versus manufactured filter cigarettes on symptoms and diseases in current smokers

Half of Norwegian cigarette smokers use handrolled tobacco, which has highe r nicotine, carbon monoxide, and tar yields than manufactured cigarettes. T he study investigated whether handrollers reported more symptoms and diseas es than users of manufactured cigarettes. 5,014 subjects answered a questionnaire of which 1,639 reported current smo king (636 manufactured and 752 handrolled). Smokers of handrolled cigarette s were older, more likely to be male, smoked more cigarettes for a longer t ime, had started at a younger age, and was more exposed to passive smoking than smokers of manufactured cigarette. These variables were controlled for in logistic and linear regression models. After controlling for the possible confounders no significant differences i n diseases were found. Female handrollers had higher scores on a symptom fa ctor consisting of breathing problems, chest pain, thumping heart, heartbur n, and dizziness compared to female smokers of manufactured cigarettes. Mal e handrollers reported higher scores on a factor consisting of stomach ache , nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and influenza compared to male smokers of manufactured cigarettes. Smoking handrolled cigarettes is associated with somewhat more symptoms tha n smoking manufactured cigarettes. Case-control as well as prospective coho rt studies are needed using biochemical measures of the toxic substances.