Lung function in an Australian population: 2. Spirometric performance and cigarette-smoking habits.

The FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC% in 12016 females and 18 359 males were related to cigarette-smoking habits. Over all, non-smokers had significantly better lung function than cigarette smokers. Ex-smokers of either sex had significantly higher FEV1 and FEV1/FVC% than cigarette smokers, but the FVC values were higher only in females. With consumption in excess of 10 cigarettes per day, deterioration in lung function was manifest in both sexes, but was greater in males than females. The mean chronological age of males who smoked from 30 to 50 cigarettes per day was 12.9 years and 9.6 years less than would have been predicted on the basis of their FEV1 and FVC values respectively. The corresponding values in women were 9.3 years and 7.9 years respectively. Additionally, the deterioration in lung function with increasing age was greater in cigarette smokers than in non-smokers.