Smoking in Adults with Diabetes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), persons with diabetes are at increased risk of complications from cardiovascular disease, such as stroke, congestive heart failure, and angina. Smoking cigarettes further increases this risk. Smoking increases the risk of renal (kidney) damage and is associated with worsening retinopathy, especially in young smokers.

• In Virginia, in 2006, 19.3% of adults were current smokers.
• Persons with diabetes (17.6%) are less likely to smoke than those without diabetes (19.6%).
• Smoking is the sole risk factor in which persons with diabetes are performing better than those without diabetes. However, blacks with diabetes between the ages of 55-64 years are more likely to smoke than their non-smoking counterparts.

Current Smoking by Diabetes Status in Virginia, 2006

Healthy People 2010 Objective:
(27-1a.) Reduce cigarette smoking by adults to 12%

Source: VA BRFSS, 2006
Data Note: Percents are weighted towards annual population estimates.

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