The Influence of Active and Passive Smoking on Habitual Snoring

Abstract

The impact of active smoking, passive smoking, and obesity on habitual snoring in the population is mainly unknown. We aimed to study the relationship of habitual snoring with active and passive tobacco smoking in a population-based sample. A total of 15,555 of 21,802 (71%) randomly selected men and women aged 25-54 years from Iceland, Estonia, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden answered a postal questionnaire. Habitual snoring, defined as loud and disturbing snoring at least 3 nights a week, was more prevalent among current smokers (24.0%, p < 0.0001) and ex-smokers (20.3%, p < 0.0001) than in never-smokers (13.7%). Snoring was also more prevalent in never-smokers exposed to passive smoking at home on a daily basis than in never-smokers without this exposure (19.8% vs. 13.3%, p < 0.0001). The frequency of habitual snoring increased with the amount of tobacco smoked. Active smoking and passive smoking were related to snoring, independent of obesity, sex, center, and age. Ever smoking accounted for 17.1% of the attributable risk of habitual snoring, obesity (body mass index > or = 30 kg/m(2)) for 4.3%, and passive smoking for 2.2%. Smoking, both current and ex-smoking, is a major contributor to habitual snoring in the general population. Passive smoking is a previously unrecognized risk factor for snoring among adults.

Smoking Induces Oropharyngeal Narrowing and Increases the Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

“…[8][9][10]14 Previous epidemiologic studies have suggested that smoking may be an independent risk factor for habitual snoring, [7][8][9]10,14 and that snoring frequency increases with the number of cigarettes smoked or the duration of exposure to smoking. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] However, most studies compared patients' smoking history with OSAS prevalence or snoring-related diseases, and the relationship between smoking exposure and OSAS severity was not rigorously investigated or fully understood.…”

“…[7][8][9][10] The correlation between smoking and OSAS has not been studied in detail. In particular, the direct infl uence of smoking on OSAS and the correlation between the amount of cigarette smoking and the severity of OSAS have not been adequately demonstrated.…”

“…2 Obesity, male sex, older age, alcohol use, genetic factors, and a narrowed upper airway are well-known risk factors for OSAS, and smoking may be a risk factor for sleep apnea or snoring. 3,[7][8][9] Epidemiologic studies have confi rmed the infl uence of smoking on OSAS and found that the morbidity of sleep related respiratory disorders is increased in smokers, depending on their smoking history, and that habitual smoking appears to be associated with OSAS. [7][8][9][10] The correlation between smoking and OSAS has not been studied in detail.…”

“…3,[7][8][9] Epidemiologic studies have confi rmed the infl uence of smoking on OSAS and found that the morbidity of sleep related respiratory disorders is increased in smokers, depending on their smoking history, and that habitual smoking appears to be associated with OSAS. [7][8][9][10] The correlation between smoking and OSAS has not been studied in detail. In particular, the direct infl uence of smoking on OSAS and the correlation between the amount of cigarette smoking and the severity of OSAS have not been adequately demonstrated.…”

Simple snoring: Not quite so simple after all?

“…A large population based survey of 15,555 adults examined the risks associated with active and passive smoking (45). Present smoking, past smoking and passive smoking all contributed to risk of snoring, independently of obesity, sex or age.…”