<p>New Delhi: Quitting smoking can lower the risk of developing type-2 diabetes by 30-40 per cent, according to a new brief jointly developed by the WHO, the International Diabetes Federation and the University of Newcastle.</p>.<p>Evidence suggests that smoking influences the body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels, which can cause type-2 diabetes, the WHO said in a statement.</p>.<p>Type-2 diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide, accounting for over 95 per cent of all diabetes cases, the UN agency said.</p>.<p>However, it is often preventable, and factors that contribute to developing type-2 diabetes include being overweight, not getting enough exercise, and genetics, according to the WHO.</p>.<p>The IDF estimates that 537 million people have diabetes, a number that continues to rise making diabetes the ninth highest cause of death globally, the statement said. The IDF is a non-profit umbrella organisation of more than 240 national diabetes associations in 161 countries and territories.</p>.<p>Smoking also increases the risk of diabetes-related complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney failure and blindness, in addition to delaying healing of wound and enhancing the risk of lower limb amputations, WHO's statement said.</p>.<p>'The International Diabetes Federation strongly encourages people to stop smoking to reduce their risk of diabetes and, if they have diabetes, help avoid complications.</p>.<p>'We call on governments to introduce policy measures that will discourage people from smoking and remove tobacco smoke from all public spaces,' said Akhtar Hussain, president of the IDF.</p>.<p>Quitting smoking also reduces the risk of diabetes complications, the UN agency said in its statement.</p>.<p>'Health professionals play a vital role in motivating and guiding individuals with type-2 diabetes in their journey to quit tobacco.</p>.<p>'Simultaneously, governments must take the crucial step of ensuring all indoor public places, workplaces and public transport are completely smoke-free.</p>.<p>'These interventions are essential safeguards against the onset and progression of this and many other chronic diseases,' said Ruediger Krech, WHO's Director of Health Promotion. </p>
<p>New Delhi: Quitting smoking can lower the risk of developing type-2 diabetes by 30-40 per cent, according to a new brief jointly developed by the WHO, the International Diabetes Federation and the University of Newcastle.</p>.<p>Evidence suggests that smoking influences the body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels, which can cause type-2 diabetes, the WHO said in a statement.</p>.<p>Type-2 diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide, accounting for over 95 per cent of all diabetes cases, the UN agency said.</p>.<p>However, it is often preventable, and factors that contribute to developing type-2 diabetes include being overweight, not getting enough exercise, and genetics, according to the WHO.</p>.<p>The IDF estimates that 537 million people have diabetes, a number that continues to rise making diabetes the ninth highest cause of death globally, the statement said. The IDF is a non-profit umbrella organisation of more than 240 national diabetes associations in 161 countries and territories.</p>.<p>Smoking also increases the risk of diabetes-related complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney failure and blindness, in addition to delaying healing of wound and enhancing the risk of lower limb amputations, WHO's statement said.</p>.<p>'The International Diabetes Federation strongly encourages people to stop smoking to reduce their risk of diabetes and, if they have diabetes, help avoid complications.</p>.<p>'We call on governments to introduce policy measures that will discourage people from smoking and remove tobacco smoke from all public spaces,' said Akhtar Hussain, president of the IDF.</p>.<p>Quitting smoking also reduces the risk of diabetes complications, the UN agency said in its statement.</p>.<p>'Health professionals play a vital role in motivating and guiding individuals with type-2 diabetes in their journey to quit tobacco.</p>.<p>'Simultaneously, governments must take the crucial step of ensuring all indoor public places, workplaces and public transport are completely smoke-free.</p>.<p>'These interventions are essential safeguards against the onset and progression of this and many other chronic diseases,' said Ruediger Krech, WHO's Director of Health Promotion. </p>