Smokers and non-smokers: differences in alcohol consumption and intake of other health-related substances in Norway A general population study

Background: This study addresses the problem of clustering of risky habits, i.e. the drinking and substance use habits of smokers and non-smokers. Methods: A sample survey of the general non-hospitalized, Norwegian population (>15 years), excluding abstainers from alcohol was used. We investigated differences in yearly consumption of beer, wine, liquor and total alcohol consumption and intake of sedatives, snuff, coffee and tea for a sample of daily smokers (n=763) and non-smokers (n=938) (mean age 38.7 years and SD 16.2 years). Results: Compared to non-smokers, male daily smokers drank significantly more beer, wine and liquor than non-smokers and used snuff more frequently than non-smokers. Female daily smokers drank more beer than non-smokers, but there were no significant differences for wine and liquor. For both genders, the total yearly intake of alcohol was approximately twice as high for dairy smokers compared to non-smokers. Daily smokers also used marihuana more frequently and they drank significantly more coffee but less tea than non-smokers. There were no significant differences in use of sedatives. Conclusion: Increased drinking and several risky health habits are linked to daily smoking. Smoking cessation should be tried out as a preventive strategy for alcohol consumption as well.