CONSUMER REPORTS
HEALTH NEWS
Study: Women more vulnerable to
harmful effects of smoking
Women may be more susceptible to the lung damaging
effects of smoking than men, according to new research*
presented this week at The American Thoracic Society s
105th International Conference. Researchers from
Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women s Hospital in
Boston, and University of Bergen in Norway analyzed
data on 954 men and women with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). They found there were no
gender differences with respect to lung function and
COPD severity, but the women were on average younger
and had smoked significantly less than men.
The researchers do not know why women may be more
susceptible to the effects of cigarette smoke, but say
cigarettes may do more harm to women because they have
smaller airways and may metabolize cigarette smoke
differently than men. Researchers said hormones and
genes may also play a role.
COPD is the fifth leading cause of death in the United
States, and the disease is becoming more and more
common in women. Women who smoke are more
susceptible to fertility problems, osteoporosis, and stress
incontinence. But no matter your gender, there s
prevailing evidence that smoking cessation can improve
your health. Smokers have more than double the heart-
attack risk of nonsmokers, but many studies have found
that quitting smoking drops your heart-disease risk
dramatically. Quitting can also reduce your risk of stroke,
pancreatic cancer, and colon and rectal cancer, and can
help your body fight off infections.
Ginger Skinner
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