Smoking and Obesity: Their Link & the Benefits of Stop-Smoking Aids

Smoking and obesity are two of the biggest preventable health risks today. 

But have you ever wondered about the relationship between those two? Have you ever wondered if smoking contributes to obesity?

Whether you have or not, Weldricks’ guide is here to unpack the relationship between smoking and obesity, look at the evidence, and explain how stop-smoking support like Nicotine Replacement Therapy can help.

Can Smoking Lead to Obesity?

A recent study shows a link between smoking and higher levels of abdominal and visceral fat, which carries greater health risks (may lead to health problems like heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes).

More specifically:

• Smoking initiation and higher lifetime smoking may lead to increased abdominal fat distribution and increased visceral fat.

• Thus, efforts to quit smoking can reduce abdominal and visceral fat.

Smoking & Obesity Official Statistics [UK & Worldwide]

Smoking Stats

• In 2023, around 11,9% of UK adults (6 million people) were current smokers, according to the Office for National Statistics.

• There are 1.3 billion smokers around the world, according to the World Health Organisation.

• Tobacco kills more than 7 million people every year (WHO).

Obesity Stats

• In 2022, 29% of adults in England were obese and 64% were either overweight or obese, according to the NHS.

• 1 in every 4 adults in the UK is living with obesity (NHS).

• In 2022, 1 in 8 people worldwide were living with obesity, according to the World Health Organisation.

• Overweight and obesity are estimated to cause more than 1.2 million deaths across the European Region every year (WHO).

Nicotine & Obesity: Support your Weight Loss with Stop-Smoking Aids

Nicotine affects appetite, cravings, and metabolism, so understanding its role can be helpful.

Before looking at the stop-smoking aids available, here’s a quick overview of what nicotine is, how it affects the body, and how Nicotine Replacement Therapy works.

What Is Nicotine, Exactly?

Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical found in tobacco plants. It causes tolerance and withdrawal symptoms that make smoking hard to quit.

How Does Nicotine Affect the Body?

Nicotine acts on the brain and nervous system, creating several short-term physical effects that influence mood, appetite and cravings. Let’s see how it affects the body:

• Nicotine triggers temporary feelings of alertness or relaxation by stimulating receptors in the brain involved in mood and reward.

• It increases dopamine release (dopamine is linked with feelings of pleasure), which reinforces the habit and makes quitting more challenging.

• It raises heart rate and blood pressure due to its stimulating effect on the cardiovascular system.

• It alters appetite and taste perception, which can affect eating behaviours.

• It slightly increases metabolism, causing your body to burn energy faster.

• It activates the body’s stress-response system, causing a release of adrenaline that contributes to withdrawal symptoms when nicotine levels drop.

What is Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)?

Nicotine Replacement Therapy is a medically approved treatment that provides you with lower amounts of nicotine, but without the dangerous chemicals found in cigarettes.

NRT products help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings after you quit smoking, making the whole process more manageable.

The point of NRT is to help you gradually reduce your nicotine dependence and finally help you quit smoking.

2. Nicotine Gums & Lozenges

Nicotine gums and lozenges are on-demand NRT products that you use when cravings appear.

They offer a quick burst of nicotine when you need it the most. They are ideal for smokers who associate certain moments of their day (after meals, breaks) with smoking.

How nicotine gums & lozenges work

1. You chew the gum or let the lozenge dissolve in your mouth.

2. A certain and controlled amount of nicotine is released to your bloodstream through your mouth’s lining.

Pharmacist’s Tip:

1. Use the “chew and park” technique for nicotine gum: chew until you taste pepperiness, then park it between your cheek and gum. For a nicotine lozenge: place it in your mouth and suck on it until you feel a slight tingle, then park it also between your cheek and gum.

2. Don’t chew or suck on them like regular gum or candy; otherwise, the nicotine won’t be properly absorbed.

3. Don’t eat or drink anything 15 minutes before and after use.

4. Use them only when a sudden craving appears.

3. Nicotine Sprays & Inhalators

Nicotine sprays and inhalators provide fast-acting craving relief, ideal for moments when you need quick support.

They mimic the hand-to-mouth action of smoking, which can be extremely helpful for people who miss the “routine” of smoking.

How nicotine sprays & inhalators work

1. One or two sprays are released into the mouth (or nose), or vapour is inhaled through the inhalator mouthpiece.

2. Nicotine is absorbed quickly through the nasal or oral mucosa.

Pharmacist’s Tip:

1. For mouth sprays: Spray inside your mouth (avoid the throat) and allow the liquid to sit in your mouth for a few seconds for better absorption. 

2. For nasal sprays: Blow your nose to clear it. Tilt your head forward and insert the nozzle into your nostril. Spray and breathe in gently.

3. For inhalators: Take slow puffs to draw the nicotine vapour into your mouth.

Smoking & Obesity — Summary

Latest research shows that quitting smoking can help you reduce abdominal and visceral fat and lose weight.

NRT products are an effective solution and can help you quit and maintain a healthy body weight at the same time.

If you’re ready to stop smoking and support your health, explore Weldricks’ stop-smoking aids and change your life for the better!