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Smoking impairs memory, scientists have proven
Last reviewed: 30.06.2025
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Scientists from the UK (Northumbria University) conducted a study that proves that smoking worsens a person’s memory.
The study involved 27 smokers, 18 quitters and 24 non-smokers. The participants were first given memory tests: they had to remember certain things in certain places. For example, in which university building a band played.
During the study, such factors as differences in the mood of the participants and their IQ were taken into account. People who abused alcohol or those who had recently consumed it did not take part in the experiment.
Project leader Tom Heffernan said smokers performed poorly on the memory test, remembering only about 59% of the original information. People who quit smoking were able to recall 74% of the information, while non-smokers were able to recall 81%.
The study was the first to examine the effects of smoking on human memory. Scientists believe that the fact that smoking affects cognitive functions of the brain is important, as the number of smokers in the UK has risen to 10 million, and in the US – 45 million people.
Tom Heffernan and his colleagues are now preparing to study the effects of passive smoking on memory and daily life.
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