Smoking and Loneliness Linked in Large European Study

Key points:

• A Europe-wide study of more than 50,000 adults found that current smokers reported greater loneliness than non-smokers.
• Smokers also experienced a greater increase in loneliness over a 2-year follow-up.
• The association remained after researchers accounted for factors such as age, sex, and baseline loneliness.
• Reduced mobility from smoking-related disease and changing social norms around smoking may contribute to social isolation.
• The findings reinforce the importance of smoking cessation support that addresses both physical and psychosocial health.

Smoking and Loneliness: Study Finds Stronger Social Isolation

Smoking and loneliness may be more closely connected than previously recognized, according to a large Europe-wide study presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Researchers found that older adults who currently smoke reported greater loneliness than non-smokers and experienced a greater increase in loneliness over 2 years.

The findings challenge the perception of smoking as a social activity and suggest that smoking may affect psychosocial health in addition to physical health. The study included more than 50,000 participants from 15 European countries who took part in the Survey of Health and Ageing in Europe (SHARE).

How Does Smoking Affect Loneliness and Social Isolation?

Researchers assessed loneliness using the UCLA loneliness scale, which considers feelings such as lacking companionship, feeling left out, and feeling isolated from others. The participants had an average age of 67 years, while 22% were current smokers at the beginning of the study.

Current smokers recorded higher loneliness scores than people who did not currently smoke. They also showed larger increases in loneliness during follow-up. These associations persisted after researchers accounted for demographic characteristics and participants’ baseline loneliness.

The researchers observed only slight differences between European regions, suggesting that the relationship between smoking and social isolation may remain broadly consistent across different cultural and social environments.

What Could Explain the Link Between Smoking and Loneliness?

Dr. Keir Philip, Clinical Lecturer in Respiratory Medicine at Imperial College London’s National Heart and Lung Institute, suggested several possible mechanisms.

Smoking-related illnesses can progressively reduce mobility and physical functioning, making it harder for individuals to participate in social activities or maintain regular contact with others. This reduced participation may contribute to social isolation and loneliness in older adults.

Changes in smoking norms may also play a role. Public smoking restrictions and smoke-free environments in homes and other settings could make social spaces less accessible or appealing to people who smoke, potentially reducing opportunities for interaction.

Smoking Cessation May Support Psychosocial Health

The findings add to evidence that smoking cessation may have benefits beyond reducing respiratory and cardiovascular risks. Professor Des Cox of University College Dublin, who was not involved in the research, emphasized the importance of helping people quit without stigma.

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For healthcare professionals and nurses, the study highlights the value of considering psychosocial health when providing smoking cessation support. Assessing loneliness, social connection, mobility, and other barriers may help clinicians provide more comprehensive care.

As loneliness becomes an increasingly important public health concern, recognizing smoking as a potential contributor could strengthen prevention and cessation strategies. The researchers argue that public health messaging should address both the physical and social consequences of tobacco use.

Source:

European Respiratory Society