Kicking the habit can cost 10lb

SMOKERS who decide to kick their habit have been warned to expect to pile on more weight than was previously believed.

The average quitter gains almost 11lb in the first year of giving up, putting on most of the extra pounds in the first three months.

But doctors say that despite the weight risk it is still healthier to stop smoking and gain a few more pounds than it is to keep up the habit.

Previous studies warned smokers to expect around 6.5lb of excess weight. Experts say many women are put of attempting to stop smoking because they are scared they get fatter.

A team of researchers in France analysed the results of 62 studies to assess the weight change in successful quitters –with and without the help of nicotine replacement therapy – after 12 months. The average weight gain was 10.4lb.

Some ex-smokers lost weight, however 13 per cent gained more than 22lb after a year off cigarettes, the study in the British Medical Journal revealed,

Henri-Jean Aubin, a professor at University of Paris-Sud, said: “Previous reports have underestimated the average amount of weight gained when people stop smoking.”