Comparison of smoking pattern between citizens of Karachi, Multan and Abbottabad

ABSTRACT

Smoking is a pollution and injurious to health. More than 4,000 individual compounds have been identified in tobacco and tobacco smoke. Among these are about 60 compounds that are carcinogens, tumor initiators [substances that can result in irreversible changes in normal cells] and tumor promoters [substances that can led to tumor growth once cell changes begin]. Some of these compounds are tar, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, phenols, ammonia, formaldehyde, benzene, nitrosamine, and nicotine. We have already carried out population survey of cigarette smoking in Karachi, Multan and Abbottabad. In this paper we present comparison of smoking pattern between Karachi, Multan and Abbottabad. The study was carried out on 3000 subjects residing in different localities of Karachi, Multan and Abbottabad. A specifically designed questionnaire was filled. Out of the study population, 43.53% citizens of Karachi, 40.02% citizens of Multan and 33.00% citizens of Abbottabad were found to be indulged in smoking. It is suggested that smokers should decide to quit the smoking once for all