A study led by Professor Mark Weiser of Tel Aviv University and the Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer Hospital has determined that young men who smoke are likely to have lower IQs than their non-smoking peers.
A
study
led
by
Professor
Mark
Weiser
of
Tel
Aviv
University
and
the
Sheba
Medical
Center
at
Tel
Hashomer
Hospital
has
determined
that
young
men
who
smoke
are
likely
to
have
lower
IQs
than
their
non-smoking
peers
.
Tracking 18-to 21-year-old men enlisted in the Israeli army in the largest ever study of its kind, he has been able to demonstrate an important connection between the number of cigarettes young males smoke and their IQ.
Tracking
18-to
21-year-old
men
enlisted
in
the
Israeli
army
in
the
largest
ever
study
of
its
kind
,
he
has
been
able
to
demonstrate
an
important
connection
between
the
number
of
cigarettes
young
males
smoke
and
their
IQ
.
The average IQ for a non-smoker was about 101, while the smokers' average was more than seven IQ points lower, at about 94, the study determined.
The
average
IQ
for
a
non-smoker
was
about
101
,
while
the
smokers
'
average
was
more
than
seven
IQ
points
lower
,
at
about
94
,
the
study
determined
.
The IQs of young men who smoked more than a pack a day were lower still, at about 90.
The
IQs
of
young
men
who
smoked
more
than
a
pack
a
day
were
lower
still
,
at
about
90
.
An IQ score in a healthy population of such young men, with no mental disorders, falls within the range of 84 to 116.
An
IQ
score
in
a
healthy
population
of
such
young
men
,
with
no
mental
disorders
,
falls
within
the
range
of
84
to
116
.
"In the health profession, we've generally thought that smokers are most likely the kind of people who have grown up in difficult neighborhoods, or who've been given less education at good schools," says Weiser, whose study was reported in a recent version of the journal,
``
In
the
health
profession
,
we
've
generally
thought
that
smokers
are
most
likely
the
kind
of
people
who
have
grown
up
in
difficult
neighborhoods
,
or
who
've
been
given
less
education
at
good
schools
,
''
says
Weiser
,
whose
study
was
reported
in
a
recent
version
of
the
journal
,
, "But because our study included subjects with various socio-economic backgrounds, we've been able to rule out socio-economics as a major factor.
,
``
But
because
our
study
included
subjects
with
various
socio-economic
backgrounds
,
we
've
been
able
to
rule
out
socio-economics
as
a
major
factor
.
The government might want to rethink how it arranges its educational resources on smoking.
The
government
might
want
to
rethink
how
it
arranges
its
educational
resources
on
smoking
.
Making the results more significant, the study also measured effects in twin brothers.
Making
the
results
more
significant
,
the
study
also
measured
effects
in
twin
brothers
.
In the case where one twin smoked, the non-smoking twin registered a higher IQ on average.
In
the
case
where
one
twin
smoked
,
the
non-smoking
twin
registered
a
higher
IQ
on
average
.
Although a lower IQ may suggest a greater risk for smoking addiction, the representing data on IQ and smoking found that most of the smokers investigated in the study had IQs within the average range, nevertheless.
Although
a
lower
IQ
may
suggest
a
greater
risk
for
smoking
addiction
,
the
representing
data
on
IQ
and
smoking
found
that
most
of
the
smokers
investigated
in
the
study
had
IQs
within
the
average
range
,
nevertheless
.
In the study, researchers took data from more than 20,000 men before, during and after their time in the military.
In
the
study
,
researchers
took
data
from
more
than
20,000
men
before
,
during
and
after
their
time
in
the
military
.
All men in the study were considered in good health, since pre-screening measures for suitability in the army had already been taken.
All
men
in
the
study
were
considered
in
good
health
,
since
pre-screening
measures
for
suitability
in
the
army
had
already
been
taken
.
The researchers found that around 28 percent of their samples smoked one or more cigarettes a day, 3 percent considered themselves ex-smokers, and 68 percent said they never smoked.
The
researchers
found
that
around
28
percent
of
their
samples
smoked
one
or
more
cigarettes
a
day
,
3
percent
considered
themselves
ex-smokers
,
and
68
percent
said
they
never
smoked
.
"People on the lower end of the average IQ tend to display poorer overall decision-making skills when it comes to their health," says Weiser.
``
People
on
the
lower
end
of
the
average
IQ
tend
to
display
poorer
overall
decision-making
skills
when
it
comes
to
their
health
,
''
says
Weiser
.
He adds that his finding can help address serious concern among heath counsellors at grade and high schools.
He
adds
that
his
finding
can
help
address
serious
concern
among
heath
counsellors
at
grade
and
high
schools
.
A study led by Professor Mark Weiser of Tel Aviv University and the Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer Hospital has determined that young men who smoke are likely to have lower IQs than their non-smoking peers. Tracking 18-to 21-year-old men enlisted in the Israeli army in the largest ever study of its kind, he has been able to demonstrate an important connection between the number of cigarettes young males smoke and their IQ.  The average IQ for a non-smoker was about 101, while the smokers' average was more than seven IQ points lower, at about 94, the study determined. The IQs of young men who smoked more than a pack a day were lower still, at about 90. An IQ score in a healthy population of such young men, with no mental disorders, falls within the range of 84 to 116.  "In the health profession, we've generally thought that smokers are most likely the kind of people who have grown up in difficult neighborhoods, or who've been given less education at good schools," says Weiser, whose study was reported in a recent version of the journal,  , "But because our study included subjects with various socio-economic backgrounds, we've been able to rule out socio-economics as a major factor. The government might want to rethink how it arranges its educational resources on smoking.  Making the results more significant, the study also measured effects in twin brothers. In the case where one twin smoked, the non-smoking twin registered a higher IQ on average.  Although a lower IQ may suggest a greater risk for smoking addiction, the representing data on IQ and smoking found that most of the smokers investigated in the study had IQs within the average range, nevertheless.  In the study, researchers took data from more than 20,000 men before, during and after their time in the military. All men in the study were considered in good health, since pre-screening measures for suitability in the army had already been taken. The researchers found that around 28 percent of their samples smoked one or more cigarettes a day, 3 percent considered themselves ex-smokers, and 68 percent said they never smoked.  "People on the lower end of the average IQ tend to display poorer overall decision-making skills when it comes to their health," says Weiser. He adds that his finding can help address serious concern among heath counsellors at grade and high schools.