A new Danish study published in the journal Addiction shows that smoking may be linked to an increase in visceral fat (abdominal fat), which itself can lead to serious health problems.

Estimation of the causal relationship between smoking and abdominal obesity was performed by Mendelian randomization. Published Addiction magazine March 20, 2024: https://doi.org/10.1111/add.16454/

In summary, it can be said that smoking causes abdominal obesity, states a study at the University of Copenhagen on diabetes 2 patients. There is a clear connection between abdominal obesity and smoking. Abdominal obesity greatly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study shows that it is apparently the smoking itself that is important for how the fat is distributed on the body. Abdominal fat is particularly dangerous because it is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, dementia and other serious diseases.

Many people who quit smoking also gain weight, which is thought to be because the enjoyment of food replaces the nicotine. You simply eat more. If you then choose snus instead of cigarettes, you avoid withdrawal symptoms because snus contains nicotine.

“Nicotine in itself does not pose a major health hazard. It is smoking that is the culprit when it comes to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer”
Dr. Stefan Willers, senior physician, associate professor, lung and allergy unit, Lund University, Sweden.