Tobacco is one of the greatest public health threats, accounting for more than 7 million deaths each year.1 In Singapore, the prevalence of smoking was estimated as 13.3% of the population aged 18 to 69 years in 2013.2 The positive association between tuberculosis (TB) and smoking is well established in regard to the increased risk of latent TB infection (LTBI), active TB, TB recurrence and mortality due to suppression of the immune system.3-5 Brief smoking cessation advice by healthcare professionals is demonstrated to be effective6-9 and recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.
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