EFFECT OF CIGARETTE SMOKING ON RED BLOOD CELL INDICES IN HEALTHY ADULT MALE POPULATION

Cigarette smoking is a modifiable major risk factor that induces systemic physiological changes, including alterations in hematological profiles. This study evaluated how cigarette consumption affected platelet levels, white blood cell (WBC) counts, and red blood cell (RBC) indices, and associated lifestyle behaviors among healthy adult males. A cross-sectional comparative study was carried out on 100 healthy male blood donors, ages 18 to 52, who were divided into two groups: 29 smokers and 71 non-smokers. Data on demographics, anthropometry, and lifestyle were collected via structured questionnaires. Complete blood counts were analyzed using automated hematology analyzers. Statistical analysis was conducted using independent t-tests and chi-square, with a significance level of p < 0.05. The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of age, height, weight, physical activity, or dietary habits. However, alcohol consumption (p = 0.002) and pan chewing (p = 0.004) were significantly more prevalent among smokers. Hemoglobin (p = 0.234), RBC count (p = 0.832), and packed cell volume (p = 0.245) were slightly higher in smokers; however, these variations did not reach statistical significance. Among RBC indices, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) was significantly elevated in smokers (p = 0.038), while mean corpuscular volume (MCV) showed a non-significant increase (p = 0.10). MCHC, WBC counts, leukocyte differentials, and platelet levels remained comparable. Smoking is significantly associated with specific alterations in red cell morphology, particularly increased MCH. These hematological changes may represent early subclinical responses to tobacco-induced hypoxia and oxidative stress.