Study, 1987
Do women smoke more when they drink alcohol, and does the time of their menstrual cycle affect this?
Yes, a study of 24 women found that smoking increased when alcohol was available, especially in heavy smokers. Most women also smoked more just before their period.
What they did
Researchers gave 24 women access to alcohol for 21 days and tracked how much they smoked compared to when no alcohol was available. They measured smoking rates and when during the day women smoked most.
What they found
Heavy smokers (25 or more cigarettes per day) increased their smoking when alcohol was available. Both heavy and moderate drinkers increased smoking during the period when alcohol was accessible. Smokers also smoked at faster rates during alcohol availability. About 70-74% of women increased their smoking at the premenstrual time (just before their period).
What it means for you
Both alcohol and the menstrual cycle affect how much women smoke. The main limitation is this was a small laboratory study over only 21 days, which may not reflect real-life smoking patterns.
24
women in the study
25 or more
cigarettes per day for heavy smokers
70-74%
women who increased smoking at premenstruation
About the study
- Original title
- Cigarette smoking by women: interactions with alcohol use
- Authors
- Mello NK, Mendelson JH, Palmieri SL
- Journal
- Psychopharmacology
- Year
- 1987
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 24
- What was tested
- Access to alcohol for 21 days
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/bf02439579
Topics
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