If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, giving up smoking is one of the most positive things that you can do to improve your health and reduce your risks of the long-term complications associated with diabetes.
One of the main reasons for this is that smoking narrows your blood vessels. Diseases of the blood vessels are a potential complication of diabetes, which can cause heart disease, nerve damage (neuropathy), kidney disease (nephropathy) and eye disease (retinopathy).
By smoking, you are increasing your risk of these greatly. So, like maintaining good blood glucose control, eating well, keeping a healthy weight and taking regular exercise, giving up smoking is one of the most beneficial things that you can do for your future health.
This page is about the dangers of smoking if you have diabetes.
One of the main reasons for this is that smoking narrows your blood vessels. Diseases of the blood vessels are a potential complication of diabetes, which can cause heart disease, nerve damage (neuropathy), kidney disease (nephropathy) and eye disease (retinopathy).
By smoking, you are increasing your risk of these greatly. So, like maintaining good blood glucose control, eating well, keeping a healthy weight and taking regular exercise, giving up smoking is one of the most beneficial things that you can do for your future health.
Diabetes Centre
Royal Liverpool University Hospital
Prescot Street
Liverpool
L7 8XP
0151 706 2829
You can get help on stopping smoking from many different sources. There may be a group in your area; these are often run through GP surgeries or local health education units. Speak to your Practice Nurse or GP for more information.
Phone Roy Castle Fag Ends Group on 0800 1952131
Phone Quitline on 0800 169 0169
Phone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47