New Delhi: Practising yoga may significantly improve the chances of quitting tobacco while also reducing stress, anxiety and depression associated with nicotine addiction, according to a study by researchers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. The findings suggest that yoga can serve as an effective complementary therapy alongside conventional tobacco cessation programmes, offering both physical and psychological benefits.
The study comes at a time when tobacco use remains one of India’s biggest public health challenges. Researchers found that participants who incorporated yoga into their quit programme had around 50 per cent higher odds of successfully quitting tobacco compared to those who did not rely on yoga-based interventions alone.
What the AIIMS study found
The AIIMS researchers analysed evidence from clinical trials examining the role of yoga in helping people stop using both smoked and smokeless tobacco.
The review found that yoga-based interventions improved short-term tobacco abstinence while also enhancing participants’ overall mental well-being. Researchers concluded that yoga could be an effective addition to existing tobacco cessation treatments rather than a replacement for medical advice or counselling.
How yoga helps tobacco users
According to the researchers, yoga appears to work by addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of nicotine dependence.
Regular practice of yoga, including asanas (physical postures), pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation, may help reduce cravings, improve emotional regulation and lower stress levels that often trigger relapse.
The study also found improvements in anxiety, depression and quality of life among participants who practised yoga as part of their quitting programme. These psychological benefits may increase the likelihood of maintaining long-term abstinence.
Yoga is not a standalone cure
Researchers emphasised that yoga should be viewed as a supportive therapy rather than a substitute for evidence-based tobacco cessation methods.
Doctors recommend combining yoga with behavioural counselling, nicotine replacement therapy or prescribed medications wherever appropriate. Such a comprehensive approach may offer better success rates than relying on a single intervention.
Why quitting tobacco matters
Tobacco use is among the leading preventable causes of illness and premature death worldwide.
Smoking and smokeless tobacco significantly increase the risk of cancers, heart disease, stroke, chronic lung diseases and several other serious health conditions. Even after years of tobacco use, quitting can substantially reduce these health risks and improve overall quality of life.
Health experts therefore encourage users to seek professional support early and use multiple evidence-based strategies to improve their chances of successfully quitting.
Expert takeaway
The AIIMS findings add to growing evidence that mind-body practices can play a meaningful role in addiction management.
While more long-term research is needed, the study suggests that incorporating yoga into tobacco cessation programmes may help more people quit successfully while simultaneously improving mental health and reducing the likelihood of relapse.
Conclusion
The AIIMS study indicates that yoga can be a valuable complementary tool for people trying to quit tobacco. By reducing cravings, easing stress and improving emotional well-being, yoga may increase quit success when combined with standard medical treatment and counselling. Experts stress that individuals planning to quit tobacco should consult healthcare professionals to develop a personalised cessation plan.
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