Smoking is one of the few things we know can make MS worse, and quitting is one of the few things genuinely in your hands that can slow it down. This article looks at what the research says about smoking, vaping, and MS, why stopping makes a real difference, and practical support to help you quit for good.

Introduction

If you smoke and you live with MS, you’ve probably already been told that you should give up. That message can feel like another weight on an already heavy load, especially if smoking is something you turn to for stress relief.

But here’s the encouraging part: the evidence is clear, and it’s hopeful. Quitting smoking, even after years of smoking and even after an MS diagnosis, can slow how quickly your MS progresses. It’s one of the most powerful things you can do for your long-term health, and you don’t have to do it alone.

This article walks through what smoking does to MS, where vaping fits in, and the real, practical support available to help you stop.

Key Takeaways

• You’ll understand how smoking affects MS progression and symptoms
• You’ll know why quitting at any stage still brings real benefits
• You’ll learn what the current evidence says about vaping and MS
• You’ll discover free Australian support services designed to help you quit
• You’ll have a practical starting plan for your quit journey

What Smoking Does to MS

Smoking affects MS in several ways. It increases inflammation throughout the body, adds to oxidative stress (a kind of wear and tear on cells), and appears to damage the protective coating around nerves. For people already living with MS, this can mean faster disease progression, more severe symptoms, more visible changes on MRI scans, and a higher chance of moving from relapsing MS into more progressive forms.

Smokers with MS are also more likely to experience cognitive changes, lower mood, greater disability, and reduced quality of life. Some research suggests smoking may even make disease-modifying therapies work less effectively, which is a frustrating trade-off for anyone going to the effort of treatment.

Why Quitting Is Worth It

Here’s the good news. A large UK study of nearly 8,000 people with MS found that when people stopped smoking, their rate of physical decline slowed down to match that of people who had never smoked. In other words, the harm doesn’t just stop, your health improves.

And it’s never too late. The benefits of quitting appeared in people of all ages and at all stages of MS. You don’t have to have quit ten years ago for it to matter. Quitting today still makes a difference to how you feel in five, ten, and twenty years.s

Beyond MS, quitting reduces your risk of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and many other conditions that regional Australians already face at higher rates.

What About Vaping?

Vaping is often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, and for some people it can be a useful tool to step down from cigarettes. However, research specifically on vaping and MS is still quite limited.

What we do know is that vaping still involves inhaling substances into the lungs, and early research suggests it can increase inflammation and oxidative stress, the same mechanisms that make regular smoking harmful for MS. Some studies also suggest vape aerosols may affect cells that protect the brain.

The goal should be to stop inhaling anything; nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges are generally considered safer long-term options because they don’t involve the lungs.

Practical Steps to Quit                                    

Set a quit date. Choose a date within the next two weeks. Tell someone you trust.

Get help from your GP. Medications like nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline, or bupropion can roughly double your chance of quitting successfully. Your GP can prescribe and guide you.

Use free Australian services. The Quitline (13 7848) offers free, confidential phone counselling. Apps like My QuitBuddy and iCanQuit are free, private, and designed for Australians.

Plan for cravings. Most cravings last only a few minutes. Keep water, a distraction, and a trusted contact ready for the tough moments.

Expect stumbles. Most people try several times before quitting for good. A slip-up isn’t failure, it’s information about what you need next time.

Use telehealth if distance is a barrier. Many GPs now offer telehealth appointments, which can be useful for ongoing quit support in regional and remote areas.

Summary

Smoking is one of the clearest risk factors for faster MS progression, and quitting is one of the clearest ways to change that trajectory, at any age, at any stage. Vaping is still risky for MS, and shouldn’t be an alternative. With support from your GP, Quitline, and free apps, quitting is possible. If you’ve tried before, try again. Your MS, your lungs, and your future self will thank you.

FAQs

Is it too late to quit if I’ve had MS for years? No. Research shows benefits from quitting at any stage of MS. The sooner, the better, but any time is worth it.

Does passive smoking affect MS? Yes. Exposure to second-hand smoke is associated with both a higher risk of developing MS and with worse outcomes for people who already have it.

Will quitting cause an MS flare-up? There’s no evidence that quitting triggers relapses. Some people feel short-term stress or low mood, but these pass, and support services can help.

Is vaping safe with MS? Vaping is not safe. Long-term effects on MS are still being studied, and safer quitting aids exist.

What if I’ve tried to quit before and failed? Most successful quitters have tried multiple times. Each attempt teaches you something useful. Talk to your GP about what might work differently this time.

References

1. Rodgers, J., Friede, T., Vonberg, F. W., et al. (2022). The impact of smoking cessation on multiple sclerosis disease progression. Brain, 145(4), 1368–1378.
2. Manouchehrinia, A., Tench, C. R., Maxted, J., et al. (2013). Tobacco smoking and disability progression in multiple sclerosis: United Kingdom cohort study. Brain, 136(7), 2298–2304.
3. Degelman, M. L., & Herman, K. M. (2017). Smoking and multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 17, 207–216.
4. Petersen, E. R., Oturai, A. B., Koch-Henriksen, N., et al. (2018). Smoking affects the interferon beta treatment response in multiple sclerosis. Neurology, 90(7), e593–e600.
5. Ramanujam, R., Hedström, A. K., Manouchehrinia, A., et al. (2015). Effect of smoking cessation on multiple sclerosis prognosis. JAMA Neurology, 72(10), 1117–1123.
6. Rosso, M., & Chitnis, T. (2020). Association between cigarette smoking and multiple sclerosis: A review. JAMA Neurology, 77(2), 245–253.