Winter Maladies: Natural Approaches
June Russell's Health Facts
Smoking - Weight
Nicotine elevates metabolism, one reason why smokers weigh on an average of 8 pounds less than nonsmokers. But the risks of lighting up regularly overwhelmingly outweighs any possible effect to your waistline. (Good Housekeeping, April 1997)
Even though nicotine suppresses body weight, smokers tend to eat more than
nonsmokers, and exercise less. As a result, they are also putting on extra pounds.
Some 28% of male smokers and 34% of the female smokers are overweight. The gain
of a few pounds can be overcome, and lung cancer cannot. Women need to be
reminded that smoking makes them ugly, which is worse. (Smoke and Mirrors: The
Quitters New Pounds, National Center for Health Statistics, by Abigail Trafford,
Washington Post Health, Nov. 7, 1995)