Have your competent? doctor EXPLAIN EXACTLY HOW THEY ARE GOING TO PREVENT Parkinsons! They've known of the problem for years! Are they still incompetent in having done nothing?
Parkinson’s Disease May Have Link to Stroke March 2017
Smoking Linked to Lower Parkinson’s Risk but Higher Mortality
Summary: A large-scale study of over 410,000 adults reveals a complex relationship between smoking and neurological health. Published in Neurology, the research found that individuals who were currently smoking had a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease compared to those who had quit.
However, the study strongly emphasizes that quitting smoking significantly lowers the overall risk of death. The findings suggest that the potential “protective” association with Parkinson’s is tied specifically to current smoking status rather than long-term history, highlighting a need for targeted therapies that mimic these effects without the lethal risks of tobacco.
Key Facts
- The Parkinson’s Paradox: Persistent smokers had the lowest risk of Parkinson’s; those who quit (sustained or recent) had a 60% to 61% higher risk of developing the disease.
- Mortality Trade-off: While quitters faced a higher Parkinson’s risk, they had a significantly lower risk of death (17% lower for sustained quitters) compared to persistent smokers.
- Current Status Matters: Relapsed smokers (those who quit but started again) had a Parkinson’s risk similar to persistent smokers, suggesting the association is linked to active smoking.
- Massive Study Scale: The research followed 410,000 adults in South Korea for an average of nine years, tracking smoking changes across multiple health screenings.
- No “Safe” Smoking: Researchers warn that the risks of smoking—including cancer and heart disease—far outweigh any observed neurological associations, and these results should not encourage smoking.
Source: AAN
A new study of smokers finds that currently smoking is associated with a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, but quitting smoking was associated with a lower risk of death.
The study was published on February 25, 2026, in Neurology.
The study does not prove that smoking prevents Parkinson’s; it only shows an association.
“The severe health risks of smoking cannot be overlooked, as it remains a leading cause of preventable death and contributes to heart disease, cancer and chronic lung disorders,” said study author Jun-Hyuk Lee, MD, PhD, of Eulji University School of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea.
“While our study found smokers who quit showed a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease than those who were currently smoking, it also found they had a lower risk of death. The health benefits of quitting smoking remain substantial and clear.”
The study involved more than 410,000 adults in South Korea who were smokers at the beginning of the study. Their average age was 52, and they were followed for an average of nine years.
Participants completed health screenings at the start of the study, about two years later, and then another two years later. They were asked how much and how often they smoked.
Researchers divided participants into four groups: persistent smokers who never quit, relapsed smokers who quit a couple years into the study but then resumed smoking, recent quitters who smoked the first four years of the study and then quit, and sustained quitters who quit early in the study and never resumed smoking.
During the study, 1,794 people developed Parkinson’s disease: 0.33% of persistent smokers, 0.41% of relapsed smokers, 0.67% of recent quitters and 0.71% of sustained quitters.
Also, 31,203 people died, including 7.24% of persistent smokers, 8.09% of relapsed smokers, 8.76% of recent quitters and 7.91% of sustained quitters.
After adjusting for factors such as income level, alcohol use and physical activity, researchers found that persistent smokers had the lowest risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Recent quitters and sustained quitters had a 60% to 61% higher risk of Parkinson’s compared to persistent smokers. Relapsed smokers had a risk similar to persistent smokers.
When looking at risk of death, researchers found that sustained quitters had a 17% lower risk of death and recent quitters had a 3% lower risk compared to persistent smokers. Relapsed smokers had the same rate as persistent smokers.
“Overwhelming evidence from multiple previous studies shows quitting smoking is much better for long-term health overall,” Lee said.
“Our study suggests a lower risk of Parkinson’s is not necessarily associated with how long someone smokes, but rather if they are currently smoking. Future studies are needed to better understand which components of smoking contribute to the reduced risk, and to develop safe and targeted therapies that replicate the effects of smoking for Parkinson’s without the harmful health consequences.”
A limitation of the study was that data was self-reported, so people providing responses may not have recalled all information accurately. Also, the participants were mostly Korean male participants, so results may not be generalizable to women or other populations.
Key Questions Answered:
A: The study shows an association, but it doesn’t prove cause-and-effect. While active smokers in the study had lower rates of Parkinson’s, the biological reason isn’t fully understood yet. It might be a specific chemical in tobacco, or it could be related to how “addictive” brains are wired differently.
A: Absolutely not. Even with a lower Parkinson’s risk, persistent smokers in the study had the highest risk of death. Quitting smoking is still the single best thing you can do for your heart, lungs, and overall lifespan.
A: That’s the multi-million dollar question. Scientists are trying to isolate which components of tobacco might be helping neurons so they can create safe, targeted medications that offer protection without the cancer-causing smoke.
Editorial Notes:
- This article was edited by a Neuroscience News editor.
- Journal paper reviewed in full.
- Additional context added by our staff.
About this Parkinson’s disease research news
Author: Renee Tessman
Source: AAN
Contact: Renee Tessman – AAN
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: The findings will appear in Neurology
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