Impact of Smoking on Type 2 Diabetes

Smoking is a poorly understood risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes and is known to enhance insulin resistance. Although the underlying mechanisms are yet unknown, it is also linked to compromised beta-cell function in humans. It is challenging to directly link nicotine to the risk of diabetes because the majority of mechanistic research has concentrated on nicotine as the primary cause of these effects, with the involvement of other tobacco compounds being less commonly investigated.

Active smoking increases the risk of all-cause mortality, worsens the consequences of chronic diabetes, and impairs glycaemic management in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, its impact on microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes is less clear. Despite recent therapy trials using drugs like varenicline and GLP-1 analogues, there is limited information on smoking cessation techniques tailored for diabetes patients. 

To summarize, it is crucial for individuals with diabetes to quit smoking, and healthcare providers, particularly diabetologists, should actively support smoking cessation efforts as part of their therapeutic education initiatives.

Source: Rouland A, Thuillier P, Al-Salameh A, Benzerouk F, Bahougne T, Tramunt B, Berlin I, Clair C, Thomas D, Le Faou AL, Vergès B, Durlach V. Smoking and diabetes. Ann Endocrinol (Paris). 2024 Dec;85(6):614-622. doi: 10.1016/j.ando.2024.08.001. Epub 2024 Aug 30. PMID: 39218351.