Effects of Passive and Active Smoking on Induction of Anesthesia

Adverse effects of smoking are found on respiratory, cardiovascular, and immune systems, as well as on drug metabolism, homeostasis, and physiology. Our purpose was study the effects of passive smoking on body systems that in recent years there is more attention in this field. It is suspected that in passive smokers smooth induction of anesthesia impaired. In a prospective study 140 cases who were undergoing elective surgery, were allocated to one of following three groups: Active smokers (group 1), passive smokers (group 2), and non-smokers (control group). Respiratory events including cough, breath holding and laryngospasm were noted in 79% of smoker group, 81% of Passive smokers and 7.5% of non smokers group, 81% of passive smokers and 7.5% of non smokers group. Both active and passive smokers had a higher incidence of adverse respiratory events than non smokers (P<0.0001 and P<0.0008 respectively). There was no significant difference among active and passive smokers according to their respiratory events (P<0.21). Passive smoking as active smoking cause hypersensivity of airway and deteriorate smooth induction of anesthesia.