Smoking raises your risk for type 2 diabetes. The more cigarettes you smoke, the greater your risk. If you 
already have diabetes, smoking makes complications worse (Have Diabetes? Consider a Tobacco-Free Life).
Just being around second-hand smoke can raise your type 2 diabetes risk, too. The more hours a day you are around other people’s cigarette smoke the greater your risk for type 2 diabetes and other health problems!
To Defend Against Type 2 Diabetes,
- If you don’t smoke, don’t start!
- Avoid second-hand smoke.
- If you smoke, consider quitting or cutting back on the cigarettes. Check out the links below for help and motivation.
- If you are trying to quit, talk to your doctor and see the guide You can control your weight as you quit smoking for help.
- Some people will gain weight while quitting, though average weight gain is less than 10 pounds.
- Putting on pounds puts you at risk for diabetes, so consider getting tested for diabetes every year for 3 years after you quit.
- The long-term benefits of a smoke-free life outweigh the short-term risks of weight gain and diabetes.
- Not everyone gains weight when they quit smoking.
For resources on how to quit, visit these sites:
QuitNOW.ne.gov Free access to counseling and support services for Nebraska residents. SmokeFREE.gov Provides free, accurate, evidence-based information and professional assistance to help support the immediate and long-term needs of people trying to quit smoking. American Cancer Society
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