New study shows quitting smoking can improve mental health

Led by a team of researchers at Oxford University’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, the study employed rigorous analytical approaches to assess changes in mental health following smoking cessation. The number of people smoking who also have a mental health condition has remained the same since 1993 (approximately 40%). Quitting smoking will not worsen and may improve mental health outcomes.’The findings are published on World No Tobacco Day, an annual event on 31 May, led by the World Health Organization (WHO). Paul Aveyard, co-author, Professor of Behavioral Medicine at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences commented: 'Many people who smoke cannot contemplate stopping smoking. Without smoking, mental health improves on average.