Impact of smoking on health care resource use

This study examined a sample of almost 1000 women in terms of the impact of cigarette smoking on their experience of various physical conditions and on their use of various health care facilities. Smokers reported more frequent complaints and illness episodes than non smokers. They also made more visits to general practitioners and had more hospital admissions during the 12 months prior to the study. When age groups were examined separately, the differences were found to be more evident amongst the younger groups than the older.