Weighing Smoking's Effect on the Scale

A recent study found that, over a 20-year period, smokers gained similar amounts of weight whether they quit at some point or not. Why do some folks gain weight immediately after quitting? Some people replace cigarettes with food, but usually they gain only four to five pounds. If gaining weight is preventing you from quitting smoking, have a plan to replace cigarettes with activity—try a walk, swim, or bike ride instead.