To Quit Smoking, Try Eating More Veggies and Fruits

If you're trying to quit smoking, eating more fruits and vegetables may help you quit and stay tobacco-free for longer, according to a new study. The study found that smokers who consumed the most fruit and vegetables were three times more likely to have been tobacco-free for at least 1 month when they were contacted 14 months later than those consuming the lowest amount of fruits and vegetables. 

Several explanations are possible, such as less nicotine dependence for people who consume a lot of fruits and vegetables or the fact that higher fibre consumption from fruits and vegetables make people feel fuller. "It is also possible that fruits and vegetables give people more of a feeling of satiety or fullness so that they feel less of a need to smoke, since smokers sometimes confuse hunger with an urge to smoke," explains Haibach, the lead author of the paper. 

And unlike some foods which are known to enhance the taste of tobacco, such as meats, caffeinated beverages and alcohol, fruits and vegetables do not enhance the taste of tobacco. "Foods like fruit and vegetables may actually worsen the taste of cigarettes," says Haibach.

Have you noticed any relationship between the amount of fruit and veg you consume and the amount you smoke? If you are interested in hearing about tried and tested methods that we know can help you quit then call us today on 0207 882 8230.

Graphic cigarette warnings help smokers to quit

According to a team of researchers in America, warning labels on cigarette packets that feature graphic images stay in smokers' minds longer. Smokers recalled the warning label better if it was accompanied by an image, compared to just only text. What do you think of graphic labels on cigarette packs? Do you think they help at all? Let us know your thoughts. 

It's never too late to quit

Do you find yourself thinking "there is no pointing quitting, it's too late, the damage has been done"? Quitting smoking reduces mortality, even in older patients, an analysis of medical literature finds. A thorough review of 17 studies assessing the impact of smoking on all-cause mortality in people 60 years and older was done, and the authors demonstrated that the relative risk for death notably decreases with time since smoking cessation even at older age.

Are you interested in quitting smoking? Contact the Smokers' Clinic on 0207 882 8230 to find out more about your options.

Majority of adults think children should be protected from tobacco marketing

The vast majority of UK adults (84%) think children should be protected from marketing by tobacco companies, according to new research by Cancer Research UK.

What do you think?

CITY FOCUS: Taxing times in tobacco trading

Another story from the Daily Mail online, seeming to take this side of big tobacco. We have already looked at plain packaging; it is an interesting debate. What do you think? Read the full story here.

Stress levels and smoking: Why your dad's bad habits may have wrecked your genes

This story comes from todays Daily Mail. It summerises research on how lifestyle factors can affect offspring through the alteration of genes, such as addictions and overeating causing children to be more prone to depression, autism or heart disease for example. A longitudinal study showed a link between fathers smoking before puberty having sons who were fatter by the age of 9, even when other lifestyle factors were taking into account.