Stubbing Out For Good

Smokers have a 70% increased risk of anxiety and depression, that's according to University College London.

Research, carried out by UCL, found that 52% of smokers in Scotland say their stress levels would increase if they quit the habit. The new No Smoking Day poll also found that nearly two in three (65%) smokers in Scotland feel stressed on a day-to-day basis and a similar number (66%) admit they believe smoking helps them deal with their stress.

Professor West, Professor of Health Psychology at UCL and lead researcher, said: "Our study found that long-term ex-smokers have similar prevalence of anxiety and depression to non-smokers and considerably lower levels than smokers. Quitting smoking could be the key to improving not only your physical health, but your mental health too."

A recent review of 26 studies published in the British Medical Journal in 2014 found that quitting smoking is associated with reduced depression, anxiety and stress and improved positive mood and quality of life compared with continuing to smoke. The review also found that quitting smoking has the same or stronger effect on treating mood and anxiety disorders than antidepressants.

This No Smoking Day, the British Heart Foundation is calling on smokers to bust the common myths associated with smoking and commit to quitting on 11 March.

Dr Mike Knapton, BHF Associate Medical Director, said: "There is a belief from many smokers that smoking reduces anxiety and stress, which is in turn causing many smokers to put off quitting.

"Yet, instead of aiding people to relax, smoking increases anxiety and tension. When smokers light up, the feeling of reduced stress or relaxation is temporary and is soon replaced by withdrawal symptoms and cravings. While smoking temporarily reduces these cravings and feelings of withdrawal – which are similar to feeling anxious or stressed – it does not reduce or treat the underlying causes of stress.

"Dispelling the myth that smoking is a stress reliever should be another motivating reason to finally kick the habit this No Smoking Day. We’re asking smokers to mark Wednesday 11 March on their calendars and join the nearly one million people who are expected to use the day to quit."

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of health charity ASH Scotland, said: "Along with the many physical health benefits of quitting tobacco, there is clear evidence that giving up smoking can help people feel less stressed and anxious.

"Smokers often worry that cigarettes are a coping mechanism they can’t do without, but giving up really can improve your mental health and reduce anxiety and depression."

Research also shows that more than one in five (21%) of adults in Scotland smoke, increasing the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and a variety of cancers. Medics say the good news is that stopping smoking is the single best thing you can do for your heart health, and the risk to your health decreases significantly soon after stopping.