Smoking increases risk of depression by 41 pc

Sydney, Apr 26 (UNI) Smokers have a 41 per cent higher risk of suffering from depression than those who have never taken a puff, according to new research.

Researchers found that those who had given up tobacco more than a decade previously had a lesser probability of developing depression than those who never smoked.

Scientists from the University of Navarra and the University of Las Palmas De Gran Canaria in Spain, along with experts from Harvard University conducted the six-year study.

Researcher Miguel Martinez-Gonzalez from the University of Navarra said many current smokers were diagnosed as having depression over the course of the study.

''Over the course (of the study), 190 smokers who initially did not present depression were diagnosed with this disease by a doctor,'' he added.

''In addition, 65 who were not diagnosed indicated that they were taking anti-depressants during this period,'' the Courier Mail quoted him as saying.

The researchers also noted that the more someone smoked tobacco, the less physically-active they were in their free time.

UNI XC RJ DS1525