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STOPPING smoking, even in later life, may help delay the onset of dementia.
A study revealed that the memory and speech abilities of former smokers declined significantly slower than those of individuals who continued to smoke.
Experts indicated that older adults are less likely to quit smoking (stock image).
Quitting at a younger age would yield greater benefits, but researchers at University College London noted: “It is never too late.”
Approximately six million people in the UK smoke, despite its association with over a dozen types of cancer, as well as heart disease and dementia.
The recent study compared 4,700 smokers over the age of 40 who quit to 4,700 who continued smoking.
All participants smoked during the first six years of the study, and their cognitive health declined at a similar rate.
When half of the group quit, their cognitive decline slowed by 20 percent over the subsequent six years.
Their speech and language abilities deteriorated only half as much as those who continued to smoke.
Findings Could Encourage Older Smokers to Quit
Experts believe that smoking damages the brain by harming the blood vessels that deliver essential oxygen, and quitting can help restore a healthy blood flow.
Study author Dr. Mikaela Bloomberg stated: “This suggests that quitting smoking may aid individuals in maintaining better cognitive health over the long term, even if we quit in our 50s or older.”
“This is crucial because middle-aged and older smokers are less likely to attempt quitting compared to younger individuals, yet they bear a disproportionate burden of smoking-related harms.”
Previous studies have indicated that people’s cognitive abilities might improve almost immediately after quitting.
The latest report, published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, suggests that these benefits can last for years.
Smoking is the leading single cause of death in the UK, with around one million individuals affected.
The Truth About Smoking
One in eight individuals in the UK smokes.
Yet, it remains the largest preventable cause of death and disease.
About half of lifelong smokers will die prematurely, losing an average of around 10 years of life.
The most common smoking-related causes of death include: cancer, respiratory diseases, and coronary heart disease.
However, it is associated with numerous other conditions, ranging from diabetes to stroke and more.
Smoking adversely affects every organ in the body, which is why it is responsible for approximately 74,600 deaths annually in England alone.
It claims more lives each year than high blood pressure and obesity combined.
Approximately 506,100 hospital admissions among individuals over 35 are attributable to smoking, making up four percent of all hospital admissions in this age group.
Smoking also costs the NHS in England around £1.9 billion each year.
Source: Action on Smoking
Frequently Asked Questions
Can quitting smoking improve cognitive health in older adults?
Yes, quitting smoking can help maintain better cognitive health, even for those who quit in their 50s or later.
What are the health risks associated with smoking?
Smoking is linked to various health risks including cancer, heart disease, respiratory illnesses, and can lead to premature death.
