Doctors warning about link between smoking and diabetes

By

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Medical experts will be denouncing a familiar foe tomorrow as a part of World No Tobacco Day.

Now doctors are warning about the connection between smoking and Type 2 diabetes.

Dr Jan Hux with the Canadian Diabetes Association says while it’s not as well known, there is a link between them.

“That’s surprising to some people. People think the impact of tobacco is no further than the lungs, but actually, people who smoke heavily can have up to twice the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.”

While some underestimate the disease, Hux warns it accounts for a lot of problems seen around the country.

“Diabetes accounts for 30 per cent of strokes, 40 per cent of heart attacks, 50 per cent of kidney failure requiring new dialysis starts and 70 per cent of amputations. This disease has long-term complications.”

Hux says there can be terrible long-term consequences of not taking the disease seriously.

Some resources for people hoping to quit can be found here.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today