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New findings suggest smoking increases social isolation and loneliness 6 Jan 2022

Smokers may become more socially isolated and lonely than non-smokers as they get older, a new study suggests. 

Previous research has found that people who are isolated and lonely are more likely to smoke. However, this latest study – which is the first of its kind – found that smoking itself may also lead to higher levels of isolation and loneliness. 

The research, published this week in The Lancet Regional Health Europe and led by teams at Imperial College London and UCL, including researchers from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), examined the relationship between smoking and the development of social isolation and loneliness.

It found that, over time, people who smoked’s social contact reduced, they became less socially engaged and more lonely, compared to non-smokers. With many people who smoke pledging to quit at the start of the new year, the authors hope that their new study will provide another incentive. 

“Our research suggests smoking is bad for aspects of psychological and social health in addition to the well established physical impacts of smoking,” said study author, Dr Keir Philip who is from Imperial College London’s National Heart & Lung Institute and also a respiratory registrar at the Trust. “Some people think smoking is a social activity, but our study did not support this idea - smokers actually became more socially isolated and lonely than non-smokers over time.” 

He adds: “Our findings contribute to existing knowledge in this area, and suggest the existence of a vicious cycle of smoking, social isolation, and loneliness. This research provides yet more reasons why people should aim to stop smoking this new year, and adds justification to increase support for people trying to quit.”

The new study used data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), consisting of a nationally representative sample of 8,780 people aged 50 years and older in England. Participants’ social isolation and loneliness were assessed over 12 years (at the outset, then after 4, 8 and 12 years). 

The researchers found that, at the outset of the study, current smokers were more likely to be lonely and socially isolated than non-smokers, having less frequent social interactions with family and friends, less frequent engagement with community and cultural activities, and being more likely to live alone. 

Smoking was also associated with larger reductions in social contact, increases in social disengagement, and increases in loneliness over time

These results remained even after considering factors like age, sex, and socioeconomic status. 

The study is observational so cannot determine the cause of this association, but the authors speculate that it may be due to a range of factors. For example, smokers are at an increased risk of developing breathlessness and other physical health problems, including lung and heart disease, which limit their ability to socialise. Equally, smoking is associated with an increased risk of mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, which may impact the amount someone socialises.

In addition, friends of people who smoke are more likely to have smoked themselves and therefore to have died prematurely. Other social factors include the reduced social acceptability of smoking generally, and in particular the expansion of smokefree legislation introduced to reduce the harms from passive smoking.

Professor Nick Hopkinson, another study author from Imperial’s National Heart & Lung Institute, said: “Most people already know that smoking is a risk to health. Our results suggest that smokers are also more likely to become socially isolated and lonely as they get older.

“These findings are another reason for the government to press on with introducing the policies needed to achieve its ambition for a smoke-free 2030. These include a ‘polluter pays’ levy on tobacco industry profits and raising the legal age for tobacco sales from 18 to 21 years.

“Stopping smoking can be difficult, but the NHS has a number of excellent resources to ensure that people get the help they need. These include free and proven tools and advice that help people quit smoking for good.”

‘Relationship of smoking with current and future social isolation and loneliness: 12-year follow-up of older adults in England’ by Philip et al published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266677622100288X