Cigarette smoking among alcohol abusers: A continuing and neglected problem

Cigarette smoking is recognized as an addictive disorder and a serious cause of ill-health and permature death; nonetheless, there has been a general disregard of the problems of cigarette smoking among alcohol abusers. When dealing with drug abuse, the alcohol problem has eclipsed the tocacco problem, yet the coincident use of both contributes to the health hazars of each. A comparison of alcoholics presenting for treatment and the general population of Ontario during the years 1965-1966 and 1979-1980 indicates a much higher percentage of cigarette smokers among the alcoholic group; the incidence of heavy smoking has remained much higher in alcoholics than in the general population.