Low HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) level and smoking are known risk factors for coronary heart disease. The effect of cigarette smoking on HDL-C level was analysed in this study, with aim to determine whether smoking causes lowering its level. Study included 105 participants, aged 30-70 years, from Family Medicine Teaching Center of Dom zdravlja Tuzla. Smoking status was analysed and HDL-C level was measured after fasting for at least 12 hours in all participants. The greater number of smokers had HDL-C level < 1.03 mmol/L than non-smokers (P = 0.04). The greater number of non-smokers had HDL-C level > or = 1.54 mmol/L comparing with smokers (P = 0.001). Smokers had significantly lower mean HDL-C level than non-smokers (P = 0.003). Results suggest that cigarette smoking adversely affects HDL-C by lowering its level, which further increases the risk for developing coronary heart disease.