Researchers followed over 4,300 men in Abu Dhabi for nearly 9 years to understand smoking habits. They found that about 1 in 4 men smoked at the start, dropping to 1 in 5 by the end. Younger men were more likely to start smoking, while those with health problems like high blood pressure were more likely to quit. The study shows that smoking increases the risk of serious diseases like heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes, but quitting can reduce these risks significantly.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Why men start smoking, why they quit, and what health problems smoking causes over time
  • Who participated: 4,361 men aged 18 to 93 years old living in Abu Dhabi who participated in a health screening program between 2011 and 2013, then were followed for about 9 years
  • Key finding: About 24.5% of men smoked at the beginning, dropping to 21% after 9 years. Men who quit smoking had better health outcomes, while those who kept smoking had higher rates of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes
  • What it means for you: If you smoke, quitting can significantly lower your chances of developing serious diseases. Younger men may be at higher risk of starting smoking, so prevention efforts should focus on this age group

The Research Details

This was a long-term follow-up study where researchers tracked the same group of men over time. They collected information about smoking habits from medical records in 2011-2013, then checked those same records again in 2023 to see what changed. The researchers looked at medical records from a health screening program called Weqaya that serves Abu Dhabi’s healthcare system.

The study included 4,361 men initially, though some didn’t have complete information at the start. By the end of the study in 2023, researchers had follow-up information on 3,360 men. This long time period (up to 12 years) allowed researchers to see patterns in who started smoking, who quit, and what health problems developed.

By following the same people over many years, researchers can see cause and effect more clearly than if they just took a snapshot at one moment in time. This approach helps identify which factors actually influence smoking behavior and which health problems are connected to smoking

The study used real medical records from a large healthcare system, which is more reliable than asking people to remember their smoking habits. However, the study only included men in Abu Dhabi, so results may not apply to women or people in other countries. Some men dropped out or didn’t have complete information throughout the study period

What the Results Show

At the start of the study in 2011-2013, about 24.5% of men reported smoking. By 2023, this had decreased to 21%, showing that some men quit over the years. However, when researchers looked at the total number of men who smoked at any point during the study, it was 45% - meaning many men either started or quit during the follow-up period.

Younger men (ages 30-39) were most likely to smoke at some point. Men who started smoking tended to be younger and have lower cholesterol levels. Interestingly, men who quit smoking tended to be younger, have lower blood pressure, and have lower vitamin D levels. Men who had experienced a heart attack were more likely to stay quit after stopping smoking.

The study found strong connections between continuing to smoke and developing serious health problems. Smokers had higher rates of diabetes, stroke, heart attacks, mental health problems, fatty liver disease, and poor circulation in the legs. In contrast, men who quit smoking saw their risk of these diseases decrease over time.

The research identified specific blood markers that predicted smoking behavior. Men with higher cholesterol and lower HDL (good cholesterol) were more likely to quit smoking. Men with lower kidney function (measured by GFR) and lower vitamin D were also more likely to quit, possibly because they had other health problems that motivated them to change. A history of heart attack was the strongest predictor that someone would stay quit after stopping smoking

This study confirms what other research has shown: smoking causes serious health problems and quitting reduces those risks. The finding that health scares (like heart attacks) motivate people to quit matches previous studies. The focus on Abu Dhabi adds important information about smoking patterns in the Middle East, where smoking rates are often higher than in Western countries

The study only included men, so we don’t know if the same patterns apply to women. All participants were from Abu Dhabi, so results may not apply to other countries or cultures. Some men didn’t have complete information throughout the entire study period. The study relied on medical records, which might not capture all smoking behavior if people didn’t report it accurately to their doctors

The Bottom Line

If you smoke, quitting significantly reduces your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other serious conditions (strong evidence). Younger men should be targeted with smoking prevention programs (moderate evidence). If you have health problems like high blood pressure or have experienced a heart attack, these can be powerful motivators to quit smoking (moderate evidence)

This research is most relevant to men in the Middle East and similar regions where smoking rates are high. It’s important for healthcare providers, public health officials, and anyone who smokes or knows smokers. The findings about younger men starting smoking are particularly important for prevention programs targeting young adults

Health benefits from quitting smoking begin within weeks (better circulation, easier breathing) and continue improving for years. The biggest reductions in disease risk appear within the first few years after quitting, though benefits continue to accumulate over time

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily cigarettes smoked (or days smoke-free) and monitor blood pressure weekly if available, since lower blood pressure was associated with quitting success
  • Set a quit date and use the app to log cigarettes avoided each day. If you experience a health scare or get concerning health test results, use the app to document this as motivation and track how it influences your smoking behavior
  • Monitor smoking status monthly and track any health improvements (better breathing, more energy, improved blood pressure readings). Connect with health checkups to see changes in cholesterol and other markers that predict successful quitting

This study provides important information about smoking patterns and health risks in Abu Dhabi, but individual results may vary. If you smoke or are considering quitting, consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice. This research should not replace medical guidance from your doctor. The study focused on men in Abu Dhabi, so results may not apply equally to women or people in other regions.