There seems to be hardly any doubt left that smoking does no good for anyone, but a recent study has indicated that male smokers are largely at higher end of facing cognitive decline as compared to female smokers. Published in the archives of General Psychiatry journal's online edition, the study has been done by a team from the University College London.

Smoking could mar one’s health to significant level, thereby triggering the risk attached with lung diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. There is need for one to pay heed to what health experts have been saying for long about the potential side effects of smoking.

The study involved records of nearly 6,000 men and more than 2,100 women, and concluded that males who are consistent smokers are more likely to face fast cognitive decline as compared to those who have either left smoking some 10 years back or those who have never smoke. The same sample group was told to be part of Whitehall II study earlier. All the participants were made to go through three cognitive assessments over a ten-year period, before concluding the results.

Though there were reports indicating the connection between smoking and mental health, this study has some or the other way affirmed the association between smoking and cognition decline in later stage of life.

"Intermittent smokers showed the same cognitive decline as persistent smokers, showing the importance of definitive smoking cessation”, said lead author Severine Sabia of University College London.

There is need for extended study to be done on the same underlying issue before conclusive assertions could be made to be used for clinical applications. While male smokers were told be at heightened risk of cognitive decline, it is yet not established why female smokers are not facing the same quantum of risk.