Source: Reuters
Date: 2010-06-16
Author: Amy Norton

a new study suggests that after a person kicks the habit, chronic
stress levels may go down.

Health

The findings, say researchers, should give smokers reassurance
that quitting will not deprive them of a valuable stress
reliever.

In a study of 469 smokers who tried to quit after being
hospitalized for heart disease, the researchers found that those
who remained abstinent for a year showed a reduction in their
perceived stress levels. In contrast, stress levels were
essentially unchanged among heart patients who went back to
smoking.

The study, reported in the journal Addiction, supports the theory
that, at least for some people, smoking actually contributes to
chronic stress. . . .

it could mean that people vulnerable to stress are more likely to
take up smoking -- and that taking away that habit could worsen
their stress.

On the other hand, smoking itself may generate long-term stress,
even if people feel it offers them temporary relief from trying
situations.

Hajek\'s team looked at that question by recruiting 469 smokers
who had been hospitalized for a heart attack or heart bypass
surgery.