Former smokers get up to 4 kg to 5 kg in weight after getting rid of this habit, and academics.
Researchers from Britain and France found that former smokers were on average 4.67kg in the 12 months after quitting.
Most of the excess weight is achieved during the first three months, they found.
Analyzing the results of 62 studies, the authors found that in the first three months after the refusal, former smokers gain 2.85kg on average.
However, researchers found a large variation in weight change, with 13 percent of people gaining more than 10kg and 16 percent losing some weight.
The study, published on bmj.com, is accompanied by an editorial that suggests the health benefits of quitting outweigh the weight gain.
Esteve Fernandez of the University of Barcelona, and Simon Chapman, Professor of Public Health, University of Sydney, said: “The relative long-term health effects of weight and smoking cessation and should be considered in relation to the ultimate public health message that we must learn from this and future research.
“While obesity is positively associated with increased risk of mortality from all causes, cohort studies show that modest weight gain does not increase the risk of death, while smoking does.”
Ex-smokers weight because nicotine suppresses appetite and activity slightly increases metabolism. – Daily Mail
According to the Cancer Association of South Africa, more than seven million South Africans smoke. Tobacco-related diseases claim the lives of more than 44 000 South Africans a year. This is a major cause of lung cancer – which has one of the lowest survival rates for all types of cancer.
Cansa says smoking is the second largest health problem in South Africa, after HIV and AIDS.
It supports the new amendments that were proposed in the Law on the Control of tobacco products.
The amendments seek to ban indoor smoking ban and prohibit smoking in certain public places such as stadiums, sports arenas, parking lots, sidewalks, and communications.
Smokers would also not be allowed to light up within 10 meters from a window or door in a public place.
On beaches, smokers must be at least 50 meters from the nearest person.
Employers and restaurant owners can differentiate outdoor area for smokers, provided stringent conditions, for example, that no food or refreshments are served.