Pack-a-day smokers spend about $14,000 a year on cigarettes, but despite the financial and health costs, quitting smoking remains one of the most difficult changes many people attempt.
New research from the University of Adelaide shows that exercise can help people quit smoking by reducing tobacco consumption, easing the urge to smoke and increasing the likelihood of quitting.
Researchers found that people participating in the exercise program were 15% more likely to achieve sustained abstinence and 21% more likely to report seven-day abstinence compared to a control group.
They also found that exercise can reduce cigarette consumption by two cigarettes per day, and that a single bout of exercise can instantly reduce cravings for cigarettes for up to 30 minutes after exercise.
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined 59 randomized controlled trials involving more than 9000 participants and investigated the effects of both single-dose and long-term exercise programs on smoking cessation, craving, withdrawal symptoms, and mood.
Globally, smoking remains the leading preventable cause of premature morbidity and mortality, accounting for approximately 7 million deaths, including an estimated 1.6 million non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke.
There are currently more than 100 million e-cigarette users worldwide.
Researchers say exercise should be seen as an additional tool that can be used alongside established smoking cessation support.
Lead researcher Dr Ben Singh said the findings provide smokers with a practical, low-cost tool that can support them on their journey to quitting smoking.
“Quiting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, but it’s also one of the hardest,” Dr. Singh said.
“Many smokers want to quit, but current approaches don’t work for everyone, so we need more strategies that people can incorporate into their daily lives at little or no cost.”
“Something as simple as regular exercise can make meaningful changes for people trying to quit smoking, helping them control their appetite, reduce smoking and increase their chances of quitting.”
Although smoking rates have declined over the past two decades, demand for e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products has increased, targeting younger generations.
Currently, 80% of the world’s 1.3 billion tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries, but in contrast, e-cigarette use is increasing in many OECD countries.
University of Adelaide senior researcher Professor Carol Maher said exercise could be used strategically to reduce cravings for cigarettes.
“Quiting smoking doesn’t have to start and end with willpower alone,” Professor Maher says.
“Appetite can be difficult to manage, but it often passes. Our review found that just one bout of exercise can suppress your appetite for up to 30 minutes, which can help you get through the toughest moments of quitting smoking.”
“Exercise should not replace evidence-based cessation support, such as counseling or smoking cessation medications, but it may be a practical, low-cost strategy that people can use in conjunction with them.”
Researchers say the next step is to test how exercise can be incorporated into real-world smoking cessation programs, including digital, community and clinical services, and consider whether it can support people trying to quit e-cigarettes, for which there is currently a lack of evidence.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2026.101138
