Smoking causes lasting effects on the immune system even after quitting, according to a new study published in the journal Nature. Researchers analyzed blood samples from 1,000 healthy people in France and found that smoking alters adaptive and innate immunity. Although adaptive immunity remains affected for years, even decades, innate immunity rebounds immediately after people quit. The study also hypothesized that smoking could affect the risk of infections, cancer, or autoimmune diseases. Another study found that it takes 10 years for the average life expectancy of ex-smokers to return to the same level as non-smokers. The sooner people quit, the better, as the benefits were more pronounced for those under 40.
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Research shows lasting effects of smoking after quitting
