When you’re having drinks out, you’re more likely to encounter drinkers who are also smokers. For these people, tobacco and alcohol often go hand in hand. Studies have shown that the tobacco and alcohol industries have worked closely together in their attempts to reach their target audience. In an alcohol marketing study published on Global Health, researchers have linked corporate investment in shaping drinking norms with practices pioneered by the tobacco industry. This is possibly why some advertisements for alcoholic products will have tobacco imagery as well.
Despite its connections with the tobacco industry, drinking isn’t necessarily harmful — as long as you indulge in moderation. In our post titled “Red Wine: Good For Your Health?”, we discussed the health benefits of red wine, such as being a source of several vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C, E, and potassium. While considering the health benefits of your preferred alcoholic beverage, it’s essential to evaluate the effects of tobacco smoke on your drinking. In this post, we’ll look at some of the ways cigarettes affect alcohol consumption:
Increased risk of stroke
While it’s unsurprising to learn that using cigarettes and alcohol poses threats to your health, there are specific consequences that can happen when both smoking and drinking are done together. Studies have shown that tobacco and alcohol have harmful effects on your atrial myocardium, changing your cardiac structure, architecture, and contractility, and are associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke. Atrial fibrillation refers to abnormal electrical impulses in your atria, leaving you with a highly irregular pulse rate.
Changed taste buds
Another surprising effect that cigarettes have on your alcohol consumption is that it dulls your taste buds. Research published on Physiology & Behavior found that tongue-tip bitter and salt tastes were less intense in current smokers than in participants who were never smokers. The study suggests that smoking may systematically alter tongue tip taste function, significantly impacting how much you enjoy drinking your preferred beverages. Most importantly, the findings indicate that smokers with less exposure to cigarette smoke and former smokers have elevated whole-mouth taste. This brings us to our concluding point…
The importance of ditching the cigarette habit, and how
As explained above, while smoking can alter or dull your taste buds, quitting the habit — making you a former smoker — can help bring your sensitivity to tastes back. At the same time, cigarettes can significantly change how you relate to alcohol. As the two habits tend to go hand in hand for most people, smoking a cigarette may make you want to drink at times you aren’t supposed to, and vice versa. Quitting tools are key here. For instance, when you discover nicotine pouches, you can have a quitting experience that won’t leave you suffering from withdrawal symptoms. As demonstrated by the wide range of nicotine pouches available from Prilla, they come in various flavors, such as coffee and menthol. You can even get alternative strengths, and nicotine pouches are growing in popularity among smokers looking to kick the habit. These pouches are easy to dispose of and store, and you can consume them anywhere, like when you’re out drinking.
Other nicotine alternatives such as Nicorette lozenges and gums are also effective, popular smoke-free options for those looking to quit smoking, without going cold turkey. While popular in places with smoking bans, these nicotine alternatives can be the first step for quitting your smoking habit and enjoying your drinking experience without the added health risks.
About the author
Cathy is one of blacktialnyc.com founders. As an owner of multiple bars in the last 17 years, Cathy brings her experience into her writings, to educate our tasty readers.
