According to a new American study, adults with even mild depressive symptoms are more likely to smoke than adults with no symptoms.
43% of depressed adults 20 years and older smoke at least a pack a day compared to 22% of people who do not suffer from depression.
Among older people, the phenomenon is even more pronounced. More than half of middle-aged men 40 to 54 who suffer from depression smoke compared to less than 25% of people who are not depressed. Half of depressed women aged 20 to 39 are smokers.
The study found that depressed people not only smoke more, they find it more difficult to quit.
Laura Pratt and Debra Brody of the National Center for Health Statistics conducted the study. They report: "Patients with depression who want to kick the habit can be helped, but it is difficult."
Depression often affects sleep and appetite, causes excessive fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, guilt and a virtually non-existent libido.
Around 7% of the American population suffers from depression.