The effects of smoking persist for some time even after smokers quit. Risk of injury among smokers was higher despite the fact that recruits were forbidden to smoke during the training period, according to the researchers. Gardner and colleagues examined smoking and injury rates among 915 female and 1,087 male US Army recruits. Risk of injury increased for both women and men who smoked. Fifty-six percent of female smokers suffered an injury compared with 46 percent of women who did not smoke.
Some studies suggest that smoking can impair healing of wounds from trauma, surgery, and disease.
It is plausible that smoking interferes with the body's ability to repair muscle, bone, and other tissue, leaving smokers more susceptible to injury, the researchers say. Differences in behavior between smokers and nonsmokers may also explain some of the differences in injury rates. Smokers in the current study had more previous injuries and illness, were less physically active, and less physically fit than nonsmokers. For women who want to be in the know Click here to return to page. The Jerusalem Post - All rights reserved, Click here for feedback and comments.