Quitting Smoking Significantly Lowers Type-2 Diabetes Risk

• 16 Nov 2023

A joint effort by the WHO, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and the University of Newcastle has unveiled a brief indicating that ceasing smoking can reduce the risk of developing type-2 diabetes by 30-40%.

• The evidence-backed findings suggest that smoking adversely impacts the body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels, contributing to the onset of type-2 diabetes.

Key Points

• Prevalence and Preventability of Type-2 Diabetes: Type-2 diabetes is a prevalent chronic disease, constituting over 95% of all diabetes cases globally.
• The UN agency highlights its preventability, citing factors such as being overweight, insufficient exercise, and genetics as contributors.
• Global Diabetes Statistics: The IDF estimates that 537 million people have diabetes, making it the ninth leading cause of death globally. The number continues to rise, underscoring the urgency of preventive measures.
• Smoking-Related Complications: Smoking not only increases the risk of type-2 diabetes but also elevates the likelihood of diabetes-related complications, including cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, blindness, delayed wound healing, and an increased risk of lower limb amputations.
• IDF's Encouragement to Quit Smoking: The IDF strongly encourages individuals to quit smoking to mitigate the risk of diabetes and avoid associated complications. Governments are urged to implement policies discouraging smoking and ensure smoke-free environments.
• Role of Health Professionals: Health professionals are deemed crucial in motivating and guiding individuals with type-2 diabetes to quit tobacco.
• Simultaneously, governments are called upon to enforce smoke-free regulations in indoor public spaces, workplaces, and public transport.
• Importance of Smoking Cessation in Diabetes Management: Quitting smoking not only reduces the risk of developing type-2 diabetes but also plays a vital role in managing diabetes and reducing associated complications.
• The WHO underscores the significance of comprehensive interventions for safeguarding public health.