Smokers--vitamin C--hypercholesterolaemia.

Cigarette smoking is one of the major public health problems of our times. Smokers are damaged by free radicals formed during smoking. The antioxidant capacity of smokers is reduced. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) deficiency in heavy smokers with a total cholesterol more than 6.7 mmol/l ranges from 35-55%. It is mediated by smoking, by its low dietary intake by preferential high dietary intake of saturated and unsaturated fats. Vitamin C is an important water soluble antioxidant, therefore its intake can at least partially reduce the unfavourable effect of smoking caused by the attack of free radicals on the organism when smokers are unable to quit smoking.