Studies indicate that smokers tend to have lower levels of physical activity, associated with higher nicotine dependence. Additionally, smoking can compromise sleep quality due to dependence symptoms, favoring the appearance of sleep disorders. Examining the relationship between nicotine dependence, sleep quality, and physical activity levels in elderly smokers can help develop interventions to minimize the impacts of smoking on the functionality and quality of life of this population.

To investigate the relationship between nicotine dependence, physical activity levels, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness in elderly smokers.

This is a cross-sectional study conducted with elderly smokers of conventional cigarettes who had been smoking for at least one year, of both sexes aged 60 years or older, capable of understanding the assessment instruments. Anthropometric measurements and information on smoking habits were collected, and participants were evaluated for nicotine dependence using the Fagerström Test, physical activity levels using the short version of the IPAQ, sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and daytime sleepiness using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESE). Statistical analysis was performed using Jamovi 2.6.26 software, utilizing Spearman&apos;s correlation to analyze the relationships between variables, with a significance level of p < 0.05.

Nine individuals (55.6% female 66.0 ± 4.8 years), participated in the study. Regarding nicotine dependence, 66.7% of participants were classified as mildly dependent, and 33.3% as moderately dependent. In terms of physical activity levels, 55.6% were classified as very active. Sleep quality was considered poor for 66.7% of participants according to the PSQI, and 44.4% presented mild to moderate daytime sleepiness according to the ESE. Spearman&apos;s analysis indicated a positive correlation between nicotine dependence and daytime sleepiness (Rho = 0.759, p = 0.018), suggesting that higher levels of nicotine dependence are related to greater daytime sleepiness and possibly a higher risk of sleep disorders. No significant correlation was found between nicotine dependence, physical activity levels, and sleep quality, which may be related to the small sample size, limiting the detection of associations between these variables.

Elderly smokers with higher nicotine dependence showed higher levels of daytime sleepiness, highlighting the impacts of smoking on sleep quality. Although no correlation was identified with physical activity levels, previous studies indicate that more dependent smokers tend to exercise less, which may potentiate the deleterious effects of smoking on health.

These findings reinforce the importance of integrated strategies for smoking cessation in the elderly population, also considering interventions that improve sleep quality and encourage physical activity. Reducing morbidity risk and promoting healthier and more functional aging.