The median score for the mental health dimension of SF-36 was worse in passive {72 [inter quartile range (IQR) 56 to 96] points} and current [76 (IQR 55 to 80) points] smokers compared with ex-smokers [88 (IQR 70 to 100) points] (median differences −16 points, 95% CI −22.2 to −3.0and −12 points, 95% CI −22.8 to −2.4, respectively; P < 0.05 for both)