Smokers have a much higher likelihood of developing diabetes, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH).
Amy Winter, director of the Office of Tobacco Control at the MSDH, says smokers 30 to 40 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than their non-smoker counterparts.
Smoking not only increases one’s risk of developing diabetes, but it also impacts how well an individual’s insulin works.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that chemicals found in cigarettes cause cellular inflammation which results in less response to insulin. Diabetics who smoke require higher doses of insulin to manage their blood sugar levels.
“Quitting smoking is always a healthy choice,” said Shanna Barrett, director of the Mississippi Tobacco-Free Coalition of Amite, Pike, and Wilkinson Counties, said.
To prevent an uptick in cases of the chronic disease, program areas across the MSDH are collaborating to spread awareness and education about type two diabetes.
“Diabetes is a disease with serious health consequences, but it is also controllable and preventable,” Jayda Lee, director of the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program at the MSDH, said. “About one in seven Mississippians are living with diabetes, placing the state in the top five nationally for diabetes rates.”
MSDH offers free programs by phone or text to support those quitting smoking. These programs include professional counseling seven days a week and nicotine replacement resources.
Additionally, the state health department has diabetes prevention and management programs to further support overall wellness and health through medication management and lifestyle modifications.
Those looking for assistance in their attempt to quit smoking are encouraged to click here or contact the Mississippi Tobacco Quitline at (1-800) QUIT-NOW. More information about the dangers of cigarettes and tobacco-related products can be found here.
