Smoking’s effects on the immune system can last years, study finds

A recent study sheds light on the profound and lasting effects of smoking on the immune system, exposing individuals to heightened risks of diseases even years after quitting. Despite ongoing declines in smoking rates since the 1960s, it remains the primary preventable cause of death in the United States, contributing to over 480,000 fatalities annually. The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive smoking cessation strategies and public health campaigns to curb smoking initiation and encourage quitting, particularly among young people, to mitigate the long-term health impacts associated with tobacco use.

The study, published in the journal Nature, elucidates how smoking diminishes the body's ability to fend off infections over time, exacerbating susceptibility to chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Researchers analyzed blood samples from a diverse group of 1,000 healthy individuals across different age groups, genders, and backgrounds. They found that smoking, along with factors like body mass index and latent infections, significantly altered immune response, with smoking exerting a particularly pronounced effect comparable to age and sex.

Although quitting smoking can partially restore immune function, the study reveals that the damage caused by smoking persists for years, necessitating sustained efforts to support smoking cessation and prevent initiation. The research underscores the imperative for individuals to quit smoking as soon as possible to mitigate the long-term health consequences and highlights the importance of public health interventions in reducing tobacco-related morbidity and mortality.