The FEV1•0% was calculated from FEV1 0 and FVC measured in a random sample of older people in Edinburgh. The proportion of persons with FEV1 0% < 60and ≥60 in the sample was examined for association with smoking and respiratory symptoms. A significantly greater proportion of men with symptoms or who smoked cigarettes had FEV1•0 % < 60 than ≥60. Women showed similar trends but a much smaller proportion admitted symptoms or smoked.