--- title: Do women smoke more when they drink alcohol, and does the time of their menstrual cycle affect this? description: Yes, a study of 24 women found that smoking increased when alcohol was available, especially in heavy smokers. Most women also smoked more just before their p url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/cigarette-smoking-by-women-interactions-with-alcohol-use-1987/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do women smoke more when they drink alcohol, and does the time of their menstrual cycle affect this? Study, 1987 # Do women smoke more when they drink alcohol, and does the time of their menstrual cycle affect this? Yes, a study of 24 women found that smoking increased when alcohol was available, especially in heavy smokers. Most women also smoked more just before their period. Early or limited evidence 24 women ## What they did Researchers gave 24 women access to alcohol for 21 days and tracked how much they smoked compared to when no alcohol was available. They measured smoking rates and when during the day women smoked most. ## What they found Heavy smokers (25 or more cigarettes per day) increased their smoking when alcohol was available. Both heavy and moderate drinkers increased smoking during the period when alcohol was accessible. Smokers also smoked at faster rates during alcohol availability. About 70-74% of women increased their smoking at the premenstrual time (just before their period). ## What it means for you Both alcohol and the menstrual cycle affect how much women smoke. The main limitation is this was a small laboratory study over only 21 days, which may not reflect real-life smoking patterns. 24 women in the study 25 or more cigarettes per day for heavy smokers 70-74% women who increased smoking at premenstruation ## About the study Original title Cigarette smoking by women: interactions with alcohol use Authors Mello NK, Mendelson JH, Palmieri SL Journal Psychopharmacology Year 1987 Study design Study Participants 24 What was tested Access to alcohol for 21 days Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/bf02439579](https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02439579) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Survey study, 2025 Does PMDD or PMS affect quality of life? Systematic review, 2025 Does alcohol use affect menstrual health in teenage girls? Systematic review, 2022 What factors increase risk of period pain and PMS symptoms? Systematic review, 2021 Does substance use change across the menstrual cycle, especially in women with PMS or PMDD? Review, 2018 Which women are most likely to experience hot flashes during menopause? Case-control study, 2016 Does caffeine intake cause or worsen PMS? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗