A new study has shown that non-smokers who inhale secondhand smoke are in more danger of developing 2 diabetes than light smokers and former smokers.
Researchers have long warned that active smokers have a higher probability of developing type 2 diabetes, compared to non-smokers. But a group of researchers from an anti-smoking charity, Ash, have just found that non-smokers who hang around tobacco lovers and inhale their smoke, also have a higher probability of developing type 2 diabetes, compared to non-smokers who protect themselves against secondhand smoke.
Deborah Arnott, Ash’s chief executive, offered a statement informing that “We already know that smoking increases the risk of type 2 diabetes but it now appears that people exposed to secondhand smoke and former smokers are also at risk”.
She and her colleagues found that active smokers increase their chances of to developing type 2 diabetes by 37 percent (37%), former smokers increase their chances of to developing type 2 diabetes by 14 percent (14%), and secondhand smokers increase their chances of to developing type 2 diabetes by 22 percent (22%). All percentages are in comparison to non-smokers who protect themselves against secondhand smoke.
But things got even more interesting when the research team isolated active smokers from former smokers and secondhand smokers. It turns out that light smokers increase their chances of to developing type 2 diabetes by 21 percent (21%), moderate smokers increase their chances of to developing type 2 diabetes by 34 percent (34%), and heavy smokers increase their chances of to developing type 2 diabetes by 57 percent (57%).
What this ultimately means is that light smokers are 1 percent (1%) less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than non-smokers who inhale secondhand smoke, and former smokers are 8 percent (8%) less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than non-smokers who inhale secondhand smoke.
On top of everything, people with type 2 diabetes also increase their chances of experiencing complications such as blindness, strokes, and heart attacks.
And the NHS informs that secondhand smoke generally increases one’s chances of experiencing cancer, pneumonia, bronchitis, and meningitis. But it’s not always easy for people to stay away from it as 80 percent (80%) of secondhand smoke can’t be seen by the human eye.
For their study, the researchers from Ash conducted a meta-analysis of 88 earlier studies, with the total number of subjects reaching almost six (6) million. Their goal was to conduct an investigation on the link between secondhand (or passive) smoking and active smoking.
Although the findings are grim, active smokers can improve their own health, as well as the health of the non-smokers around them, by quitting, or at least reducing the unhealthy habit.
Arnott has given some advice to smokers who want to consider quitting. She said that they should consider using nicotine patches, nicotine gum, and electronic cigarettes.
All of these products have proven efficient in satisfying any cravings smokers might have. And those worried about gaining weight, shouldn’t. The above mentioned products also help smokers “manage their [the smoker’s] diet to avoid putting on excess weight”.
The study was published earlier this month, on September 18, 2015, in the journal The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
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