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Excerpts from Column by LOUANNE COLE WESTON, Ph.D. [08/05/98]

Q: My doctor said that smoking cigarettes can affect my sex life. Is this true?

A: Yes. Smoking affects men's sexuality in three ways:

* Desire to be sexual.

* Ability to get and keep erections.

* Fertility.

Smokers may have enjoyed a sexy image in the past, but research tells us that they are not "doing it" as often as nonsmokers. Studies show that men between 25 and 40 years who smoked one or more packs per day had sex less often than nonsmoking men of the same age. Another study suggested that carbon monoxide in the blood caused by smoking inhibits the production of testosterone (a hormone that creates sex drive).

Smoking has been linked to coronary artery blockage, but now we know that arteries in the penis are damaged by smoking, too. In a study of men with penile artery blockage (average age 35), the smokers were significantly more blocked than nonsmokers. And the more they smoked, the more their arteries were blocked. Since erections are mainly caused by blood flowing into the penis through arteries, unclogged arteries are very important.

Last, smoking affects fertility. Smokers' sperm come in many sizes and shapes - many of them not normal. Some have two tails or two heads, others have giant or tiny heads, and some have split tails. The more a man smokes, the worse the damage. Nicotine essentially poisons the sperm and its ability to fertilize an egg.

Smoking isn't good for your lungs or heart, and it certainly isn't good for your sex life.

ASH NOTES that smoking -- by decreasing cardiovascular ability, robbing the body of energy-giving oxygen, and in many other ways -- decreases its ability to engage in any vigorous physical activity.  Thus the slogan: NONSMOKERS DO IT WITHOUT PUFFING!

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