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Respiratory effects of marijuana and tobacco use in a U.S. sample

Journal of General Internal Medicine volume 20, pages 33–37 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Although a number of studies have examined the respiratory impact of marijuana smoking, such studies have generally used convenience samples of marijuana and tobacco users. The current study examined respiratory effects of marijuana and tobacco use in a nationally representative sample while controlling for age, gender, and current asthma.

DESIGN: Analysis of the nationally representative third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III).

SETTING: U.S. households.

PARTICIPANTS: A total of 6,728 adults age 20 to 59 who completed the drug, tobacco, and health sections of the NHANES III questionnaire in 1988 and 1994. Current marijuana use was defined as self-reported 100+ lifetime use and at least 1 day of use in the past month.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Self-reported respiratory symptoms included chronic bronchitis, frequent phlegm, shortness of breath, frequent wheezing, chest sounds without a cold, and pneumonia. A medical exam also provided an overall chest finding and a measure of reduced pulmonary functioning. Marijuana use was associated with respiratory symptoms of chronic bronchitis (P=.02), coughing on most days (P=.001), phlegm production (P=.0005), wheezing (P<.0001), and chest sounds without a cold (P=.02).

CONCLUSION: The impact of marijuana smoking on respiratory health has some significant similarities to that of tobacco smoking. Efforts to prevent and reduce marijuana use, such as advising patients to quit and providing referrals for support and assistance, may have substantial public health benefits associated with decreased respiratory health problems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 219S CMHC-SAC, 34 Park Street, 06519, New Haven, CT

    Brent A. Moore PhD

  2. Tobacco Control Research Branch, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, USA

    Erik M. Augustson PhD, MPH

  3. Behavioral Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA

    Richard P. Moser PhD

  4. Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA

    Alan J. Budney PhD

Authors
  1. Brent A. Moore PhD
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  2. Erik M. Augustson PhD, MPH
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  3. Richard P. Moser PhD
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  4. Alan J. Budney PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brent A. Moore PhD.

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There are no possible conflicts of interest for any of the authors.

This research was supported by a National Training Award (T32-DA07242) and grant (R01-DA12157) from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and a National Cancer Institute Prevention Fellowship within the Division of Cancer Prevention, Office of Prevention Oncology.

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Moore, B.A., Augustson, E.M., Moser, R.P. et al. Respiratory effects of marijuana and tobacco use in a U.S. sample. J GEN INTERN MED 20, 33–37 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1497.2004.40081.x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1497.2004.40081.x

Key Words

  • marijuana
  • tobacco
  • smoking
  • respiratory symptoms
  • epidemiology