Clinical characteristics of COPD syndrome: A 6-year follow-up study of adult smokers.

Background: There is little quantitative information about the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among adult smokers and of what happens to patients who have already developed COPD.

Objectives: To examine the development and performance of COPD status over time, and the clinical characteristics of new COPD cases according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2007 and 2011 classifications.

Methods: Healthy asymptomatic smokers were recruited through newspaper announcements.

Dual use of cigarettes and Swedish snuff (snus) among young adults in Northern Finland.

Background: The sale of smokeless tobacco has been totally banned in Finland since the country joined the European Union in 1995. Adolescents have continued to use smokeless tobacco even after the sales ban. The objective was to describe dual use of Swedish snuff (snus) and cigarettes in young adults living in Northern Finland.

Young male daily smokers are nicotine dependent and experience several unsuccessful quit attempts.

Objective: Previous studies on smoking cessation have generally been conducted with adolescents or adults. Very little is known about the cessation attempts, their success, and/or use of pharmacological aids in young adult smokers who want to quit. The present study aimed to investigate quitting attempts in a group of both young male daily and occasional smokers.

Attitudes to new smoking restrictions and second-hand smoke among young Finnish males.

Aims: Relatively little is known about the attitudes of young people to restrictions on smoking in public places and to environmental second-hand smoke in housing estates. The objective was to explore the attitudes of young male adults after the new smoke-free legislation was implemented in Finland.

Methods: A survey of 1167 Finnish male military conscripts was performed.

High frequency of chronic cough and sputum production with lowered exercise capacity in young smokers.

Objectives: The aim was to evaluate how cigarette smoking is associated with respiratory symptoms, fitness, and anthropometric measures in young smokers.

Methods: The prevalence of smoking was investigated in a cohort of young military draftees (n = 1130; 98% between 18–21 years of age) in Northern Finland. The associations of smoking with respiratory symptoms, physical fitness (12-min running test), education, and anthropometric measures were analysed using a self-reported questionnaire with high response rate (80%).