Respiratory Symptoms After Smoking Cessation among College Students

Data on respiratory symptoms after smoking cessation are available for mature adults, but for young adults these data are limited to observational studies. This retrospective analysis of smoking cessation trials addresses the gap. A cohort of 18- to 24-year-olds without chronic respiratory illness was developed from 2 randomized trials of behavioral interventions versus standard care to promote smoking cessation. This secondary analysis was performed to determine whether short-term respiratory health improvements occurred among those who achieved smoking cessation for 2 weeks or more. Self-reported respiratory symptoms were assessed at baseline and last follow-up. The sample numbered 327, 60% smoked 5-10 cigarettes a day and 56% smoked for 1-5 years. Abstinence periods among those achieving cessation ranged from 2 to 78 weeks. The mean overall baseline respiratory symptom score was 14.3, standard deviation (SD) = 11.5. Respiratory symptoms for those achieving cessation were mean = 13.3, SD = 11.2, decreasing to mean = 3.8, SD = 5.9 symptom days at the last follow-up. Baseline symptoms for those who continued smoking were mean = 14.6, SD = 11.6, decreasing to mean = 10.3, SD = 10.3 at follow-up. Five fewer respiratory symptom days per week were noted for those who stopped smoking (mean = 5.2, SD = 1.5, P < 0.0001). Smoking cessation is associated with reduced respiratory symptoms. Feedback of short-term health consequences may be relevant to younger populations who may perceive smoking hazards as in the distant future.