Alcohol and nicotine dependence in French seafarers

To study the relationship between alcohol abuse or dependence as diagnosed by the CAGE questionnaire, and nicotine dependence as diagnosed by Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND) in French seamen.

French seamen were recruited from a stratified survey of 19 ports in France. The subjects completed a questionnaire during their annual medical check-up with occupational physicians and nurses of the Occupational Health Department (Service de santé des gens de mer).

Approximately forty-four per cent of male subjects were current smokers, and approximately sixty-three per cent of these were nicotine dependent according to FTND. More than 11% of male subjects drank alcohol every day. About 16% of these were alcohol dependent according to CAGE. A strong positive relationship has been shown between alcohol dependence and nicotine dependence. There was a highly significant difference between alcohol dependent and non-alcohol dependent subjects in the FTND. Conversely, nicotine dependent and non-nicotine dependent subjects significantly differed regarding several alcohol-related variables.

Alcohol and nicotine consumption is a major public health issue in seamen. A strong positive correlation was found between alcohol abuse or dependence and nicotine abuse or dependence. Some alcohol-related behaviours were associated with nicotine dependence, and some tobacco-related behaviours were also associated with alcohol dependence. These findings are novel for this kind of population in France. In view of these results, combined smoking cessation and alcohol consumption reduction policies should be developed in this population. Finally, future studies could analyze the work environment, which seems to be associated with consumption and dependency.