Arthritis - another reason to be smokefree

Media Release
30 May 2012

Arthritis - another reason to be smokefree

On World Smokefree Day (31 May 2012), Arthritis New Zealand Chief Executive Sandra Kirby reminds people that rheumatoid arthritis is another reason to be smokefree.

There are many risks associated with smoking – cancer, lung and heart disease, problems with reproduction and fertility, osteoporosis, diabetes and more. Rheumatoid arthritis must be added to this list.

“If you smoke, you are significantly increasing your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Research shows that smoking is the most important environmental risk factor for developing rheumatoid arthritis and that risk remains elevated 10-20 years after you’ve quit.

“Smoking tobacco not only damages your lungs, heart and skin, you are also damaging your joints. In fact, most studies show a link between smoking and joint damage and an association with rheumatoid nodules.

“The severity of rheumatoid arthritis is also greatly amplified by smoking. There are 125,000 New Zealanders who live everyday with the pain and disability of rheumatoid arthritis, which also increases the risk of dying from a heart attack. If you add the damage that smoking does to the cardiovascular system, that risk goes up.

“If these risk factors aren’t enough to put you off your smoko, I’ve got more bad news. Smoking also makes rheumatoid arthritis more resistant to treatment.

“I would strongly discourage anyone with a relative who is affected by rheumatoid arthritis from smoking. In fact, I would strongly discourage anyone from smoking,” says Ms Kirby.

The World Health Organisation reports that few people understand the specific health risks of tobacco use.

ENDS

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