On the build up to this year’s No Smoking Day (March 11th) new research has been published that shows that smokers have a 70% increased risk of anxiety and depression when compared with non-smokers, despite the commonly held perception that lighting up is a stress reliever.
Interestingly, levels of anxiety and depression reported by long-term ex-smokers were indistinguishable from people who have never smoked and much lower than current smokers. This suggests that quitting smoking could help people combat anxiety and depression and improve mental health.
The research, carried out by world leading smoking cessation expert Professor Robert West of UCL (University College London), is the first of its kind to compare the prevalence of anxiety and depression in smokers, non-smokers and long-term ex-smokers (smokers who have quit for over a year) at a population level. The study of nearly 6,500 people over the age of 40 found that 18.3% of smokers reported suffering depression and anxiety compared to 10% of non-smokers and 11.3% of ex-smokers. This counters the perception of more than a third (36%) of UK smokers who believe the habit is a stress buster.
The findings support a recent review of 26 studies published in the British Medical Journal in 2014 that 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. The charity expects nearly one million smokers to attempt to quit on the day.
The council’s Acting Director of Public Health Julie Hotchkiss said: “The recent research busting the myth that smoking can reduce anxiety and stress should give smokers even more reason to try and give up smoking this No Smoking Day. Stopping smoking is the single best thing you can do for your health and that of your friends and family.”
The New You NHS Stop Smoking Service for North Yorkshire and York offers a choice of day-time and evening one-to-one appointments as well as occasional group and drop-in services to help you stop smoking. Self-referrals can be made to the service by calling 0300 303 1603.