According to the genetic research published recently by Nature, in a multi-lineage genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving nearly 3.4 million people, nearly 4000 genetic variations related to smoking and drinking behaviors were found. These findings provide insights into the potential genetic effects of such complex behaviors.

Smoking and drinking are the main risk factors for many diseases and disorders. Although they are also affected by cultural background, public health policies, and other environmental factors, there is significant evidence that genetics also plays a role in the use of tobacco and alcohol. Previously, there were also genome-wide association studies on the genetic data of many people to determine possible related genes, but they mainly focused on individuals of European descent, and little was known about the genetic role of these behaviors in other populations.

This time, the research team of the University of Minnesota analyzed GWAS data from 60 cohorts, including nearly 3.4 million people, representing four groups with different ancestors (Africa, America, East Asia, and Europe). More than 20% of the cohort came from people with non-European ancestry. The team identified nearly 4000 genetic variations related to smoking or drinking behavior, including the age at which individuals started smoking and the number of alcoholic beverages consumed per week. They found that most of these mutations showed a consistent effect in different blood groups. However, the polygenic score (a genetic association measurement method based on the common influence of polygenic variation) trained with the data of individuals of European ancestry, in the population without European ancestry, is predicted to decline compared with the population with European ancestry. This finding indicates that such scores are still difficult to migrate among people of different origins.

These findings improve people's understanding of the genetic factors related to smoking and drinking behavior and emphasize the importance of increasing sample size and ancestor diversity in such studies.