Can't sleep? Quit smoking

As if  heart disease and cancer aren't enough of a motivation to quit smoking how about a good night's sleep?

Research from the Department of Environmental Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center (NY) suggests that smoking disrupts the "circadian clock" function in both the lungs and the brain. That means smoking ruins productive sleep, leading to cognitive dysfunction, mood disorders, depression and anxiety.

"This study has found a common pathway whereby cigarette smoke impacts both pulmonary and neurophysiological function. Further, the results suggest the possible therapeutic value of targeting this pathway with compounds that could improve both lung and brain functions in smokers," said Irfan Rahman, Ph.D. "We envisage that our findings will be the basis for future developments in the treatment of those patients who are suffering with tobacco smoke-mediated injuries and diseases.

"If you only stick to one New Year's resolution this year, make it quitting smoking," said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal, where the study was published. "If you like having a good night's sleep, then that's just another reason to never smoke."

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