Quitting smoking could offer a major benefit beyond heart and lung health, study finds New research indicates that individuals who quit smoking have a lower risk of developing dementia compared to current smokers, with the benefits persisting for years after cessation. The study analyzed over 32,000 adults for 25 years, finding that the longer one remains smoke-free, the more their dementia risk approaches that of never-smokers. Experts emphasize that quitting at any stage supports brain health by reducing inflammation and improving vascular function.

• Quitting smoking is associated with a significantly lower risk of dementia.
• The risk of dementia continues to decrease the longer a person remains smoke-free.
• Benefits of quitting are evident even if some weight is gained after cessation.
• Smoking cessation benefits the brain by reducing chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and blood vessel damage.
• It is rarely too late to quit smoking, as the body and brain begin to recover soon after stopping.
• The study identified an association but cannot definitively prove that quitting smoking prevents dementia.