Tobacco Use Among Bangladeshi Immigrants and Greek Patients with Diabetes

Background: Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. We investigated a cohort of Greek Caucasian and Bangladeshi immigrant patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods: 166 patients from Bangladesh and 123 patients from Greece with diabetes were assessed for tobacco use status. Results: Immigrants smoked at a much lower rate than Greeks. (5.61 ± 11,91 vs 24.77 ± 24.20 pack-years, p<0.001).A total of 40 (24.1%) patients from Bangladesh vs 58 (47.2%) patients from Greece were currently cigarette smokers, whereas 18 (10.8%) patients from Bangladesh and 37 (30.1%) patients from Greece reported that they were ex-smokers and 108 (65.1%) patients from Bangladesh and 28 (22.8%) patients from Greece never smoked (p<0.001). Smokers had higher mean glucose and HbA1c values in both ethnic groups independently. Higher education level and living with spouse were associated with less smoking. Discussion: Ethnicity may play important role in affecting the smoking habits of individuals.