A team from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health was obtained for the first time, consistent evidence indicating that snuff itself can cause asthma.

The results of the study, published in ‘European Respiratory Journal, show that both smokers and former smokers are more likely to be asthmatic than those who never had the habit, indicating that the effects of nicotine on the body remain over time. In fact, even former smokers have higher risk of contracting the disease (49%) than those who continue to smoke (33%).

But the worst part is worn by women. According to the authors of the study the risk of developing asthma than females can become 143%. For Dr. Ritva Piipari, one of the researchers, this may be because “women are much more vulnerable to the harmful effects of substances from cigarettes than men.

One theory is supported by the fact that even non-smokers are more likely to be asthmatic (57%) than men who have also stopped smoking.

Another important findings of this work is that the risk of developing asthma is proportional to the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the total amount smoked throughout life.

Research

In reaching this conclusion, the Finnish Institute team studied a group of 1,444 people, including smokers and nonsmokers, in southern Finland during a period of two years.

In addition to several questionnaires, participants completed tests that measured their lung function and needed to establish their own symptoms of asthma. Individuals who already were asthmatics, who had chronic bronchitis or emphysema who had suffered lung were excluded.

But the greatest risk of asthma has been discovered in this work does not apply to heavy smokers, those smoking more than 15 cigarettes per day or who smoked heavily throughout her life.

Researchers believe that this fact, qualifying surprising, could be explained “if one considers that these heavy smokers sooner they quit, as they feel any kind of respiratory problems, before they can diagnose asthma.”

Also, note that each person differently tolerant components and snuff could be that smokers over 15 cigarettes daily irritant better bear in cigarettes.