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Smoking is a major public health problem with medical, social, and financial implications. We conducted a retrospective analysis of data resulting from enrollment and completion of a smoking cessation program of a number of 399 subjects of both gender, who presented consecutively in 2009 to the Smoking Cessation Counseling Medical Office of the Iasi Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital. The treatment for smoking cessation was represented either by bupropion or varenicline, administered by the usual scheme. Smoking severity was quantified by pack - years, determining the carbon monoxide in the exhaled air, both at baseline and at the end of the treatment period, and by Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence. In female patients, the severity of smoking was significantly lower (P = 0.000) but their male counterparts responded better to treatment. Also, varenicline seemed to have a stronger therapeutic effect then bupropion while their adverse effects were similar.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) currently occupies sixth place in the list of morbidity causes in the world adult population and is catching third in 2020; smoking is the most important cause. COPD mortality reaches 200-300%ooo for the age group 45-64 years, 6% of deaths in men and 4% of deaths in women. Mortality from the disease is increasing at 3rd place in 2020, the disease having higher mortality statistics as expected. Positive diagnosis of COPD is given by objectifying functional bronchial obstruction by performing spirometry in a patient who is smoker or exposed to pollutants. Investigation of the respiratory function in patients with COPD is essential. Spirometry is considered to be the most reproducible, inexpensive, and the routine test for measuring airflow limitation.