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Quitting Smoking in Midlife Slows Cognitive Decline

10/14/2025

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Summary

Story summary

University College London researchers find quitting smoking in middle age slows cognitive decline.
The study involved 9,436 participants across 12 countries.
It found a 20% slower memory decline.
Quitters also show a 50% slower decline in verbal fluency than smokers.
Experts say dementia risk may align with non-smokers within ten years after quitting.

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Story summary

University College London researchers find quitting smoking in middle age slows cognitive decline.
The study involved 9,436 participants across 12 countries.
It found a 20% slower memory decline.
Quitters also show a 50% slower decline in verbal fluency than smokers.
Experts say dementia risk may align with non-smokers within ten years after quitting.