Smokers 'more likely to have the blues'

19 February 2008, A man and a woman take a smoke break outside one of Johannesburg offices ahead of Trevor manual's budget speach. Picture: Shayne Robinson XSR008

19 February 2008, A man and a woman take a smoke break outside one of Johannesburg offices ahead of Trevor manual's budget speach. Picture: Shayne Robinson XSR008

Published Mar 10, 2015

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London - Smokers may believe their habit helps them relax but they are 70 percent more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, a study suggests.

Researchers from University College London examined the mental health of 6,500 people aged over 40, and found that 18 percent of smokers suffered from depression compared with 10 percent of those who did not smoke.

Robert West, the lead researcher, said: "When smokers light up, the feeling of reduced stress or relaxation 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."

The Independent

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