9/11 linked to increase in smoking

A million former smokers in the US took up the habit again after 9/11, new research has shown.

They were driven back to tobacco by stress, experts believe.

Returning smokers accounted for a "significant" 2.3% rise in smoking rates across the US in the wake of the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington DC on September 11, 2001.

Scientists studied data from phone surveys carried out in every state to track rates of risky behaviour such as smoking and drinking habits.

Analysis of 1,657,985 responses showed that between the fourth quarter of 2001 and 2003, between 900,000 and 1.3 million adult former smokers started using tobacco again. In contrast, there was no increase in smoking rates after the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 which claimed 168 lives.

Lead researcher Dr Michael Pesko, from Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, said: "This study provides the first unbiased estimate of the effect of stress on smoking, and the finding that there was such a big increase in smoking nationwide, seemingly due to one event, is extraordinary, and surprising.

"It sheds light on a hidden cost of terrorism."

He added: "I was really surprised to find that former smokers across the nation resumed their old habit. I was expecting to see impacts just in the New York City area - or, at most, the tri-state area."

The research, reported in the journal Contemporary Economic Policy, suggests that stressful events can have an impact on public health.

Dr Pesko suggested handing out free nicotine replacement therapy soon after traumatic events. He added: "Another strategy would be to alert health professionals to do more substance abuse screening during regular medical appointments following terrorist attacks, or any such event that is likely to stress the nation."