[Survey of smoking and human health in Guangdong province]

As part of the national plan in China, 28,979 residents or farmers were surveyed in 1991 in Guangdong province to investigate the relation between smoking and human health. The results showed that the total smoking rate was 40.2%, 58.8% was for male and 1.2% was for female. 56.4% was in city and 38.7% was in rural area. The beginning smoking age was 15-16 years old (5.5%). 8.5% smokers started smoking after 25 years old. Smoking can increase risk of diseases. The incidence of chronic bronchitis, hypertension, gastric ulcer and pulmonary TB in smoking group were significantly higher than that in non-smoking group. No difference was found in the symptoms of panting, cough and phlegm between the two groups. To control smoking is one of the important measures for human health.