Smokers can't equalize

[Kim]

Me and my Fiance are getting our OW with a trip to GC the problem is that her boss has told her that because she is a smoker she will have great difficulty equalizing at depths of 50ft and or greater. My fiance works in the faculty and clinical affairs office of a major medical university so her boss is a well respected surgeon. Is smoke being blew up my fiance's backside by one persons opinion? I know all about the eyes,ears and throat thing but for her to say this it has really almost scared my fiance into NOT diving. Can anyone help me with documented information i can present to my fiance that refutes what this perticular Dr. has so freely given?

Being a lifelong smoker (to my shame) and diving with a great many others who both smoke and who don't this sounds like BS to me. I have never had problems equalizing. I'll freely admit that smoking isn't good - it makes me suck more air than I probably would otherwise - my physical condition/stamina is probably less than perfect because of it etc.
I wonder if her boss is a diver? I wonder where she bases her advice?
Years ago I played a game of squash with a top cancer surgeon from a Belgian hospital. After he thrashed me and left me gasping for breath on the floor with a heart rate +120, he gave me the major 'medically why you shouldn't smoke' lecture, he listed the huge number of cancer patients that he'd treated etc - life expectancy reduction - the lot. Then at the end he said 'well, smoking is not as dangerous as being a doctor' ??!!!?? Apparently doctors have an average life expectancy of 56 years. I couldn't believe it!
Anyway - there are a few doctors on SB so I presume you'll get a more objective answer than mine. I'm also interested to hear if there are any facts to back this claim up!!

 

[ShakaZulu]

It was certainly more difficult when I used to smoke................just say no.

 

[H2Andy]

sorry, smoking is horrible and it will kill you, but in my experience, it didn't make it
harder for me to equalize. i have been off cigs for a year, and i can't tell any difference.
i never had problems then, have none now.

 

[chantana]

I've seen instructors and divemasters that have the cigarette lit practically before the gear's off.

 

[DeepBlueSea45305]

Thanks everyone, when Tonya told me the asst Dean told her this i was a lil angry. Tonya in a way idolizes this lady like what she says must be true and all i could see was our Cayman dive hurting because of her "opinion". Tonya is reading your replies and i think with your input we can salvage a great honeymoon of diving and umbrella drinks.
Keep em coming I thank you all.