[Effect of tobacco smoking on the electrogustometric threshold of taste perception]

Using an electrogustometric method studies of the taste sensitivity in 112 smokers and 160 non-smokers were carried out. In order to eliminate the effects of age, standardized electrogustometric thresholds of taste perception for 272 subjects were calculated. Then the mean values of those thresholds for smokers and non-smokers and mean square errors of mean values were computed. With Student's difference test is was indicated that the difference between the mean value of standard electrogustometric threshold of taste perception for the non-smoking groups is statistically significant. That means that smoking results in a decreased taste sensitivity, irrespective of the subjects' age.