Relation of Indoor Storage of Dried Tobacco Leaves to Reporting of Respiratory Symptoms: Case of Tobacco Farms Households in South Lebanon

Objective: Earlier studies associated the chronic exposure to the dust of tobacco leaves with increased occurrence of allergies, skin rashes, rhinitis, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and various respiratory disorders in tobacco farmers and processors. We aimed to investigate if oriental tobacco farm households who store dried tobacco leaves inside their house are more likely to experience and report respiratory and allergic episodes or illnesses than households storing dried tobacco leaves outside the house. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among tobacco farm households within the Caza of Bint Jbeil in South Lebanon. Demographic, socioeconomic, household characteristics and respiratory symptoms were assessed by separate sets of questions. The questionnaire assessed respiratory symptoms, allergies’ and smoking habits using questions items adopted mainly from The European Community Respiratory Health Survey II. Results: A borderline association was found between storage status of tobacco leaves and respiratory symptoms (OR= 1.68 (95% CI= 0.93-3.03, p=0.09). Overall, 37.0% among those who stored tobacco leaves inside their house reported respiratory symptoms in comparison to 26.0% among those who stored tobacco leaves outside. Conclusions: The study findings suggest that indoor storage of dried tobacco leaves can slightly contribute to aggravation of respiratory symptoms. Prospective cohort studies in tobacco farming communities would be useful in determining if indoor storage of dried tobacco leaves can lead to development of asthma and aggravation of symptoms especially among younger age group.