International Diabetes Center > Diabetes Self-care > Smoking and Diabetes

Smoking and diabetes

Cigarette smoking is the leading avoidable cause of death in North America. The combination of smoking and diabetes is especially deadly. The single most important way you can lower your risk of heart disease and other diabetes complications is to stop smoking.

Nicotine is a highly addictive drug, and quitting smoking can be very difficult to do. However, anyone can quit smoking.

Many smokers fear gaining weight when they quit. Your health care provider can give you tips to help prevent weight gain. In any case, the weight you may gain from quitting is a minor risk compared with the risks of continuing to smoke. In addition to significant health improvements, quitting also has financial benefits.

Many effective treatments and techniques are available to help you quit. They include:

• support groups
• positive encouragement from loved ones
• medications, such as nicotine replacement or bupropion

When you are ready to think about quitting smoking, talk to your health care provider about creating a quit plan that will work for you.