A new study by All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has revealed that yoga can prove to be a helpful solution in quitting tobacco. AIIMS study says that just getting rid of nicotine addiction is not enough to quit tobacco. In this, control over stress, anxiety and emotional reasons is also necessary. These are the reasons that make people fall back into the habit of consuming tobacco. Doing yoga reduces stress and provides benefits like controlling cravings.
Researchers at AIIMS, New Delhi, found that people who practice yoga get better help in dealing with the psychological reasons related to drug addiction. Let us tell you what else came to light in the research. Also know what other measures can be taken to avoid drug addiction.
What came out in the research
This research has been published in the Journal of Nicotine and Tobacco Research. The researchers included 629 people who were addicted to tobacco consumption in some way or the other. Seven randomized control trials were conducted in this. It was found that people who practiced yoga regularly had 50 percent more success in quitting tobacco.
Not only nicotine, emotions are also the cause of addiction
Researchers say that nicotine is not the only cause of tobacco addiction. Mental stress, anxiety and long-established habits also play a big role in this. Therefore, those who want to get rid of tobacco should do yoga, pranayam and meditation daily. By doing these, all types of stress are reduced and people also become emotionally strong.
What do experts say
Professor Gautam Sharma, Professor of the Department of Cardiology, AIIMS New Delhi and Founder and In-charge of the Center for Integrative Medicine and Research, said that Yoga is a holistic method that works on both the levels of our body and mind. It improves weight management, emotional balance and self-care. If we focus on these three, we can get out of any kind of addiction. According to him, stress and mental problems lead to tobacco consumption and relapse. Therefore, to do these we should do yoga daily.
A recent study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) suggests that integrated yoga practices can serve as an effective intervention against tobacco addiction. By lowering stress, decreasing acute cravings, and minimizing relapse rates, it highlights the clinical pic.twitter.com/QXqf2mtKRO
— AIIMS, New Delhi
(@aiims_newdelhi) June 18, 2026
The professor told that pranayam, meditation and other yoga asanas strengthen our mental health. In this way the affected person is able to face cravings and stressful situations well.
Study done in many countries
Clinical trials from not only India but many countries including America and Thailand have been included in this study. During this, the participants were included in pranayama, meditation and relaxation techniques. Experts say that most people start consuming tobacco again not only because of the craving for nicotine, but also due to emotional stress and difficult circumstances in life. Yoga provides better help in controlling or strengthening emotions. In this way it helps in maintaining distance from cigarettes or other methods of tobacco consumption.
How to quit cigarette addiction
Dr. Sajila Maini (Senior Consultant, Psychiatrist, Sir Gangaram Hospital) told that if you want to quit smoking, then say bye-bye to it at once. This method is called Cold Turkey Method. The expert said, if we try to reduce cigarette smoking from 10 to 9 or 9 to 8, then this is not a successful method. Experts say that even if you are drinking 10 then reduce it to 0 and if you are drinking 20 then also reduce it to 0.
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