EXERCISE AND SMOKING: STUDY FINDS WORKOUTS COULD HELP PEOPLE QUIT

Quitting smoking is one of the hardest lifestyle changes many people will ever make.

Regular exercise could become another weapon in the fight against smoking, with new research showing it can reduce cravings and increase the chances of quitting.

Despite the health benefits and rising cost of cigarettes, many smokers struggle with cravings and relapse. Now, new Australian research suggests exercise could make the journey a little easier.

Researchers from the University of Adelaide have found that regular physical activity can help smokers cut down, manage cravings and improve their chances of quitting when used alongside established stop-smoking support.

Exercise and smoking cessation

The study analysed 59 randomised controlled trials involving more than 9,000 participants to examine how both single exercise sessions and longer-term exercise programs affect smoking behaviour.

Researchers found people who took part in exercise programs were 15 per cent more likely to successfully quit smoking and 21 per cent more likely to report not smoking over a seven-day period compared with control groups.

Exercise also helped participants reduce their cigarette consumption by an average of two cigarettes a day.

Lead researcher Dr Ben Singh said physical activity provides smokers with another practical tool to support their quit attempt.

"Many smokers want to quit, but the current approaches don't work for everyone," he said.

"Something as simple as regular exercise can make a meaningful difference to people trying to quit, helping them manage cravings, smoke less and improve their chances of quitting."

Smoking cravings

One of the study's most encouraging findings was that even a single bout of exercise reduced cigarette cravings for up to 30 minutes.

Senior researcher Professor Carol Maher said that short-term relief could help smokers navigate the moments when they're most tempted to light up.

"Quitting smoking does not have to begin and end with willpower alone," she said.

"Our review found that even a single bout of exercise can reduce cravings for up to 30 minutes, which may help people get through some of the hardest moments of a quit attempt."

The researchers stress that exercise should complement, rather than replace, proven quitting strategies such as counselling and smoking cessation medications.

They hope future research will explore how physical activity can be incorporated into quit-smoking programs and whether it could also help people trying to give up vaping.

With smoking still one of the world's leading causes of preventable death, the findings suggest that going for a walk, run or bike ride could be another simple way to help smokers stay on track.