Introduction: Data from many countries have indicated that about 40% of adult  currently smoke. Exposure to tobacco smoke among asthmatic patients is a common factor causing lost of asthma control. The aim of the study was  to evaluate the impact of smoking and socio-economic factors on asthma control.

Material and methods: 215 adult patients regularly treated in outpatient clinic were selected to 3 groups: currently smokers (group A, n=29), ex-smokers (group B, n=65) and never smokers (group C, n=121). Asthma treatment in the last 12 months before study was analyzed, pulmonary function tests were performed and  patients were asked about level of education and working status, number of visits to general practitioner, specialist, emergency room, use of ambulance and hospital admissions in the last year.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences between studied groups in age, gender, values of FEV1, duration of asthma and mean dose of inhaled corticosteroid in the last year before study. There were no statistically significant differences in education level. The percentage of unemployment was significantly higher in group A (20.7% vs. 10.7% in group B and 11.6% in group C, p=0.02). Mean number of pack-years in group A was 14.3 and in group B 14.5. There were no statistically significant difference in health care resource utilization between studied groups.

Conclusions: Tobacco smoking is a important problem among nearly half of population adult asthmatics. Regular asthma treatment according GINA guidelines can delayed negative impact of tobacco smoking on asthma control, therefore early intervention leading to quit  smoking  is crucial.