Cigarette smoking is one of the leading causes of avoidable death worldwide while diabetes has become one of the leading causes of ill health and death worldwide. While an individual with diabetes has a three-fold greater risk of dying from either a heart attack or a stroke than individuals without diabetes; those with diabetes who also smoke either actively or passively have an eleven-fold risk of dying from either a heart attack or a stroke! Diabetes and smoking equals trouble!

Disorders of the teeth and mouth are commoner in individuals with diabetes who smoke and thus place them at greater risk of cancers of the mouth. They also have a greater risk of developing bleeding gums and ulcers in the mouth.

Kidney and Eye damage are known to be more prevalent in individuals with diabetes who smoke, all because of the reduced blood supply to these organs engendered by the chemicals in cigarette smoke that lead to narrowing of these blood vessels. The eye is particularly more affected by the number of sticks smoked; the more smoked, the greater the risk of blindness!

It is advised that individuals with diabetes who smoke make efforts to stop immediately. Since Nicotine is addictive; both psychologically and physically, individuals who smoke will require great help in stopping. The help they require will include individual and group counseling sessions by different types of healthcare workers.