Smoking and anxiety

People with anxiety problems could be more likely to smoke and may have a harder time giving up when they do. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin studied 1,504 people taking part in a smoking-cessation programme in Madison and Milwaukee. 455 had had a panic attack in the past, 199 had social anxiety disorder and 99 had generalized anxiety disorder with some people having more than one condition. Other research has shown that up to a quarter of the smokers in the U.S. have had at least one anxiety disorder in their lifetime. The participants with anxiety disorders were much less likely to succeed on the programme, had higher levels of nicotine dependence and more withdrawal symptoms before quitting.