Background: Smoking is the most important factor contributing to the development of COPD and is one of the health risks in modern time. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between cigarette/biri smoking and PEFR between various groups of smokers and non smokers. Methods: The study was carried out in 100 male subjects between 19-52 years of age. The subjects were drawn from the community such that they could be grouped as non smokers 25, mild smokers 25, moderate smokers 25, and chronic smokers 25 according to their questionnaire response. Equipment used computerized spirometer. Results: PEFR is decreased in cigarette smokers and magnitude of decline was higher in chronic smokers. Conclusion: The intensity of cigarette smoking [pack years] emerged as the main variable to influence airway obstruction in smokers that caused reduction in PEFR.

Keywords: Smoking; PEFR.