AHA: Even with weight gain, smoking cessation ups survival

(HealthDay News) -- Fear of unhealthy weight gain can be a factor holding smokers back from quitting the habit. But a new study finds that even if people do gain a few pounds once they quit, their post-cigarette health is still much better than if they'd kept on smoking. The findings are being presented at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association (AHA), held from Nov. 15 to 19 in Chicago. "This study is important for smokers to understand," Patricia Folan, R.N., D.P.N., director of the Center for Tobacco Control at North Shore-LIJ Health System in Great Neck, N.Y., told HealthDay. "The weight gain that may accompany quitting smoking does not equal the overwhelming health consequences of continued smoking," said Folan, who was not involved in the new research.