Previous research has found that people who are isolated and lonely are more likely to smoke.
In a new study from Imperial College London and UCL, researchers found that smoking itself may also lead to higher levels of isolation and loneliness.
They found that, over time, people who smoked saw their social contact reduce, and they became less socially engaged and more lonely, compared to non-smokers.
The study suggests smoking is bad for aspects of psychological and social health in addition to the well-established physical impacts of smoking.
In the study, the team 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.
They had less frequent social interactions with family and friends, less frequent engagement with the community and cultural activities, and were more likely to live alone.
Smoking was also linked to 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.
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 socialize.
Equally, smoking is linked to an increased risk of mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, which may impact the amount someone socializes.
In addition, friends of people who smoke are more likely to have smoked themselves and are therefore more likely to have died prematurely.
Other social factors include the reduced social acceptability of smoking generally, and in particular, the expansion of smoke-free legislation introduced to reduce the harms from passive smoking.
The team says 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.
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.
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The study is published in The Lancet Regional Health Europe and was conducted by Dr. Keir Philip et al.
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