Short walks can reduce smoking in teens, say study

Taking short walks can help teens quit smoking says a new study.

Researchers at George Washington University found that walking for just 20 minutes per day can lower the need for another cigarette.

"This study adds to evidence suggesting that exercise can help teenagers who are trying to quit smoking," said study author Kimberly Horn, in a statement.

"Teens who boosted the number of days on which they engaged in at least 20 minutes of exercise, equivalent to a short walk, were more likely than their peers to resist lighting up a cigarette."

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The study looked at high school kids that smoked and divided them into three groups.

The first group took an anti-smoking program with a fitness portion; the other just the anti-smoking program and the last, a simple anti-smoking lecture.

The study found that those who exercised, namely walked about 20 minutes or day or more, were less likely to smoke than their peers.

It is still unclear why the teens smoked less but researchers noted that healthier lifestyles can promote healthier life choices in other ways like cutting back on smoking.

The study appeared in the Journal of Adolescent Health.