OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the role of smoking as a risk factor for the development of pulmonary tuberculosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A total of 111 sputum smear—positive patients of pulmonary tuberculosis and 333 controls matched for age and sex were interviewed according to a predesigned questionnaire.

RESULTS:

The adjusted odd ratio of the association between tobacco smoking and pulmonary tuberculosis was 3.8 (95% confidence interval, 2.0 to 7.0; P value, <.0001). A positive relationship between pack years, body mass index and socioeconomic class was also observed.

CONCLUSION:

There is a positive association between tobacco smoking and pulmonary tuberculosis.