Smoking and heavy drinking ‘speeds up cognitive decline’

A combination of smoking and heavy drinking habits can contribute to the acceleration of age-related cognitive decline, according to a new study.

Scientists from University College London have assessed 6,473 adults aged between 45 and 69 years over the course of a decade, finding that smokers who drank alcohol heavily suffered 36 percent faster cognitive decline than non-smoking moderate drinkers.

For every ten years they aged, it was estimated that the brains of heavy-drinking smokers aged the equivalent of 12 years – a serious issue given smoking and alcohol consumption are often complementary habits.

According to the scientists, this study shows the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle in mid-life.

Lead researcher Dr Gareth Hagger-Johnson said: "Current advice is that smokers should stop or cut down and people should avoid heavy alcohol drinking. Our study suggests that people should also be advised not to combine these two unhealthy behaviours."

According to NHS guidance, people who quit smoking will also benefit from better lung function and circulation, as well as higher energy levels.