Association between tobacco smoking and active TB in Taiwan

Lin, H.H., Ezzati, M., Chang, H.Y. and Murray, M., 2009. Association between tobacco smoking and active tuberculosis in Taiwan: prospective cohort study. American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine, 180(5), pp.475-480.

·       Current smoking is associated with a twofold increase in active TB risk compared to never-smokers, with the risk escalating based on the number of cigarettes, years of smoking, and pack-years.

·       Smoking accounts for 17% of TB cases in the studied population, highlighting its significant contribution to TB incidence.

·       The risk of TB is higher in current smokers than in former smokers, suggesting a reduced hazard among those who quit smoking.

·       The risk of smoking-related TB is greater in individuals under 65, potentially due to early depletion of susceptible populations among older smokers.

·       Smoking impairs key pulmonary defense mechanisms, increasing susceptibility to TB upon exposure to the pathogen.