Authors : Shokri Ayad Halila

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 11 - November

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/2wa974md

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/3mfds4cm

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25nov035

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Note : Google Scholar may take 30 to 40 days to display the article.

Abstract : Background: Smoking remains a major global public health concern and a key contributor to chronic disease burden. Despite its known health consequences, limited data are available on the prevalence and patterns of chronic diseases among smokers in Libya.  Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and distribution of chronic diseases among adult smokers in the city of Zawia, Libya, and to explore their association with demographic and behavioural factors.  Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 adult smokers in Zawia using a structured questionnaire that assessed demographic characteristics, smoking behaviours, and the presence of chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, asthma, heart disease, and arthritis. Data were analysed using descriptive and correlation statistics to assess relationships between variables.  Results: The mean age of participants was 41.2 ± 10.4 years. The majority (41%) were aged between 40–50 years, 89% were government employees, and 58% held secondary-level education. The average smoking duration was 19 years, with a mean of 21.6 cigarettes smoked per day. The prevalence of chronic diseases among smokers was as follows: diabetes (17%), hypertension (15%), asthma (12%), heart disease (11%), and arthritis (14%). Despite these observed rates, statistical analyses revealed no significant correlations between age, age of smoking initiation, or number of cigarettes smoked per day and the occurrence of chronic diseases (p > 0.05).  Conclusion: The findings highlight a considerable burden of chronic diseases among adult smokers in Zawia. Although no significant associations were found between smoking patterns and disease occurrence, the high prevalence of these conditions emphasizes the urgent need for targeted health awareness, early screening, and smoking cessation programs to reduce chronic disease risks in Libyan communities.

Keywords : Smoking, Chronic Diseases, Hypertension, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Respiratory Allergy, Arthritis, Zawia, Libya.

References :

1. Doll R. Uncovering the effects of smoking: historical perspective. Stat Methods Med Res. 1998; 7:87-117.
2. Mulyanti M, et al. Smoking Cessation Support for Active Smokers. Warta Pengabdian Andalas Jurnal Ilmiah Pengembangan Dan Penerapan Ipteks. 2024.
3. National Cancer Institute. Tobacco smoke contains many harmful substances, including nicotine, tar, and toxic gases, which can cause various diseases. 2022.
4. Marlow SP, Stoller JK. Smoking cessation. Respir Care. 2003; 48(12):1239-1246.
5. Gazi Z, Shamata A. Assessment of Tobacco Dependence in Al-Bayda City, Libya. J Sci Res Rep. 2021.
6. Nasser A, et al. The Prevalence of Smoking (Cigarette and Waterpipe) among University Students in Some Arab Countries: A Systematic Review. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2020.
7. Ugochukwu O, et al. Awareness and perception of harmful effects of smoking in Abia State, Nigeria. Niger J Cardiol. 2015.
8. Banks E, et al. Tobacco smoking and risk of cardiovascular disease. 2020.
9. Pan X, et al. Smoking and long-term risk of type 2 diabetes: The EPIC-Interact Study. 2014.
10. Vogelmeier CF, et al. Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 2017 report.
11. Primatesta P, et al. Cigarette smoking and hypertension in men and women. 2001.
12. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Smoking & Tobacco Use. 2022.
13. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of COPD. 2023.
14. Lisetska IS, Divnych TY. The problem of the prevalence of smoking habit among adolescent girls. Ukrainian J Health Woman. 2024.
15. Elaswdi H, Alzergany M. Smoking Prevalence and Associated Factors among Male Students at Misurata University, Libya: A Cross-Sectional Study. 2025.
16. Chaloupka FJ, Powell LM, Warner KE. The Economics of Tobacco Control. J Econ Perspect. 2019; 33(2):125-146.
17. Williams, et al. (2022). Early intervention and prevention of smoking in families with a history of smoking. Journal of Public Health, 44(3), e1-e8.
18. Smith, J., Johnson, K., & Lee, S. (2021). The impact of smoking on respiratory health. Journal of Respiratory Medicine, 25(3), 123-135."
19. Davis et al. (2021). The effectiveness of family-based smoking cessation programs. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 121, 108-115.
20. Kramer, M., Jones, R., & Smith, P. (2021). The relationship between smoking and arthritis. Journal of Rheumatology, 48(2), 201-208.
21. Al-Kubaisy, W., et al. (2020). The relationship between smoking and socioeconomic factors. Journal of Public Health, 42(3), e1-e8. Doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdaa046.
22. Siddiqi, K., et al. (2022). Smoking and chronic diseases: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 1-11. Doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-13456-8.
23. Sorensen, G., et al. (2011). Reducing social disparities in tobacco use: A social-contextual model for reducing tobacco use among blue-collar workers. American Journal of Public Health, 101(3), 484-494.
24. Marmot, M. G., et al. (2010). Economic and social roots of the illness divide. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 38(4), e27-e40.
25. Storry, J. R., et al. (2017). Blood group antigens and antibodies: A review. Transfusion Medicine Reviews, 31(2), 77-86.
26. USDHHS (United States Department of Health and Human Services). (2012). Preventing Tobacco Use among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General. US Department of Health and Human Services.
27. WHO (World Health Organization)? (2020). Tobacco. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tobacco.
28. Chaloupka, F. J., Powell, L. M., & Warner, K. E. (2019). The Economics of Tobacco Control. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 33(2), 125-146.
29. Johnson et al. 2020. The impact of smoking on cardiovascular disease risk: a review of the evidence.
30. WHO.2022? Smoking linked to early vision loss and cataracts. News. Home. WHO? https://www.who.int/news/item/20-10-2022-smoking-linked-to-early-vision-loss-and-cataracts.
31. He, M., & Li, X. (2020). ABO blood group and cardiovascular disease risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine, 21(12), 641-648. doi: 10.2459/JCM.0000000000001055
32. Wolpin, B. M., & Rimm, E. B. (2012). ABO blood group and risk of pancreatic cancer. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 104(11), 847-855. Doi: 10.1093/jnci/djs225.