Depression Makes People Smoke More

Depressed people are more likely to smoke and less likely to quit, a CDC survey suggests.

Photo: Depression Makes People Smoke More

The findings don't prove that depression causes smoking, or that smoking causes depression. But the data, from nationwide surveys of adults conducted from 2005 through 2008, show there's a strong link between depression and cigarette smoking.

Depressed people are much more likely to smoke than people who aren't depressed, the CDC finds. And the number of cigarettes people smoke increases as their depression deepens, WebMD Health News reported.

According to the study, 7 percent of the population suffers from depression. 43 percent of smokers were depressed as opposed to just 22 percent of smokers who are not depressed. In the 40-54 year old category there were more depressed smokers than in any other age group.

The depressed group also exercised less and had a less healthy diet. How much each negative characteristic will affect the rate the smokers get ill, is still not certain. A "depression gene" has not yet been isolated which might lead to more effective ways to cut back on the rate of smoking.

This is yet another study that points to the obvious. People who are nervous, anxious and depressed will turn to drugs at a higher rate than others. Money might be saved on future studies if the government would use some rational thinking before spending money on these research projects, Tech Jackal informs.