<i>Smoking may be boosting global TB burden: Research </i>

Smoking may be responsible for up to a fifth of tuberculosis (TB) infections and deaths worldwide, according to research presented at a global lung health conference in Cape Town yesterday.
"Probably more than 20 percent of the global TB burden may be attributable to smoking," researcher Karen Slama told journalists on the sidelines of the gathering arranged by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.
"Smoking may increase the risk by about 20 percent of either getting infected, getting the disease, or dying."
Slama, head of operational research at the union's tobacco control department, said three separate reviews were conducted during the course of the year of available research into tobacco use and TB infection, yielding "sufficient evidence" of a link.
"The evidence is mounting and coherent. Even a small effect would create a large and cumulative increase in infection, disease and death. This is very important information and now we have it," she said.
The research also found a significant link between passive smoking and TB infection.
"Effective tobacco control can reduce the pool of people who are infected," contended Slama.
"Among people infected with TB, effective tobacco control can lower the number of people that go from infection to disease ... to death.