[The influence of smoking habits on the symptoms of diffuse obstructive pulmonary syndrome]

In a randomized sample of the Bellville population a high prevalence rate for smoking was found in man (71%) and women (38%). Of the smokers, 73% of men and 42% of women started smoking before the age of 21 years. On the whole men were heavier smokers than women. An inverse relationship between social class and smoking was partly shown. A distinct relationship between smoking in men and symptoms of cough, production of sputum and grade 2 dyspnoea was also shown. In women there was a relation to the symptoms of morning cough and sputum production but, in contrast to men, not to the symptoms of chronic cough and sputum production relating to chronic bronchitis. It appears that men are more susceptible to chronic bronchitis than women. A total of 32% men and 30% women had stopped smoking. Various reasons were given for discontinuing or decreasing smoking, a personal decision being of more importance than a doctor's recommendation.