Smoking, Sleep and OSA
![Smoking](https://sites.aub.edu.lb/suarg/files/2024/02/Smoking-b049e883241670b8.jpg)
Tobacco smoking has persisted for many decades, claiming the lives of 7 million individuals through direct smoking and an additional 1.2 million through second-hand smoke annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Smoking, in various forms, is a well-established risk factor for numerous lung and respiratory diseases, primarily due to an increase in airway oxidative stress, resistance, and inflammation. Although several factors, such as obesity, sex, and older age, have been linked to OSA, data regarding smoking as a risk factor for OSA remains inconclusive.
SUARG aims to delve deeper into the relationship between OSA, sleep patterns, and smoking. This investigation is particularly significant given the elevated prevalence of smoking in the MENA region. Understanding the intricate connections between these factors can have profound implications for public health initiatives and interventions.