Quitting smoking makes you happier, says study

Moderate or heavy smokers who quit tobacco get a boost in mental well-being that, for people who are anxious or stressed, is equivalent to taking anti-depressants, a new study says.

British researchers examined 26 published investigations into the mental health of smokers.

They looked at standardized scorecards for symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress and quality of life, derived from questionnaires completed by volunteers.