Correlation between tobacco and alcohol use and Traditional Chinese Medicine constitutions: an analysis based on a sample from general population of China

Abstract Objective To investigate the relationship between smoking and drinking and constitution types from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory. Methods The Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ) was used. A sample of 8448 subjects from nine provinces and municipalities was chosen from the database of the TCM constitution and health status survey. Constituent ratio and correspondence analysis were used to find the relationship between smoking and drinking and TCM constitution. Results There was an association between smoking and drinking and the Gentleness, phlegm-dampness, and dampness-heat type constitutions. People that did not smoke tobacco or drink alcohol tended to have Yang -deficiency, Yin -deficiency, Qi -depression, Qi -deficiency, special diathesis, or blood-stasis type constitutions. Conclusion There was a significant correlation between tobacco and alcohol use and TCM constitutions. To improve patient health, more attention should be paid to tobacco and alcohol control.