The relationship between smoking and the response to anti-hypertensive treatment in mild hypertensives in the Medical Research Council's trial of treatment.

The antihypertensive efficacy of propranolol in the treatment of mild hypertension was significantly impaired in cigarette smokers, whereas that of bendrofluazide was not affected by smoking habit. This diminished efficacy of propranolol in smokers may be one of several possible factors operating to reduce its primary preventive action against strokes, and possibly against coronary events.