Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Problems Caused by Smoking

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 40 million adults within the United States smoke cigarettes, resulting in nearly 480,000 deaths a year. That means that one in five deaths is a result of cigarette smoking. An additional 16 million people suffer from smoking-related chronic illnesses. As a result, the annual health care–related costs for adults are approximately $170 billion in the United States alone. These are costs caused by the addiction of millions of Americans. There is an additional $156 billion in lost productivity from smoking, as well as $5.6 billion in lost productivity due to secondhand smoke exposure. 

Many HEENT disorders can be caused by smoking. Some are more irritations than health risks, but all may impact quality of life. It is important to remember that the list below may occur from secondhand exposure to tobacco smoke even if the patient does not smoke. Children who live in homes where parents or other individuals smoke indoors are especially at risk for these disorders.

• Throat pain
• Chronic laryngitis 
• Hoarseness
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Loss of taste or smell
• Ear infections
• Bad breath
• Thyroid disorders
• Sinusitis – acute and chronic

Discuss smoking cessation and the role of nurse practitioners and other health care professionals, health systems have in promoting smoking cessation in the primary care setting.