# Smoking has detrimental effects on voice related Quality of Life of University Teachers

## TL;DR

Smoking negatively affects the voice quality and related quality of life of university teachers compared to non-smokers.

## Contribution

This study empirically demonstrates the significant impact of smoking on voice-related quality of life in university teachers.

## Key findings

- Smokers had significantly higher VRQOL scores, indicating worse voice quality.
- Voice handicap index scores were significantly higher in smokers, showing greater vocal handicap.

## Abstract

To compare voice related quality of life of smoker and non-smoker university teachers.

This Cross-Sectional descriptive study was conducted at Riphah International University over a period of six months January to June, 2022. A sample of N=352 University teachers of both genders, aged 25 to 65 years, who were faculty members and working at least 8 hours per day in teaching positions with at least one-year experience were included in the study. Demographic sheet, Voice Related Quality of Life (VRQOL) and Voice Handicap Index (VHI) were used for data collection and analysis conducted on SPSS Version 21. Mean scores of VRQOL and VHI for smokers and non-smokers were compared using Mann Whitney U Test. & Spearman’s correlation was utilized to determine any association between the tool scores. P<0.01 was considered significant.

Results reveal that the mean score of Voice related quality of life scale was significantly (p=0.000) higher in smokers compared to non–smokers indicating worse voice quality in smokers. Similarly, voice handicap index scores were much higher in smokers (p=0.000) indicating more handicap in the smokers.

The study concludes that smoking has a detrimental effect on voice and voice related quality of life of university teachers and voice related quality of life as determined by VRQOL scale is significantly better in non-smokers.