In brief
A comprehensive review of 61 studies revealed that current smokers have a 31 % higher risk of dementia and elevated risks for Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Former smokers did not show increased risk compared with never‑smokers, and the study urges anti‑smoking campaigns to address brain health.
On 9 November 2026, a large Australian‑led systematic review confirmed that current smokers are at a higher risk of developing dementia, according to a report released by Xinhua in Sydney.
Study Details
The review combined 61 epidemiological studies and involved about 2.8 million participants. Researchers documented a 31 % higher overall risk of dementia for current smokers, a 40 % increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and a 52 % higher risk of vascular dementia compared with people who had never smoked.
Risk also rose with the number of cigarettes smoked. Those smoking 10 cigarettes a day had a 16 % higher dementia risk, while those smoking 20 cigarettes a day had a 34 % higher risk. Former smokers showed no elevated risk when compared to never‑smokers.
The study was published in eClinicalMedicine and highlighted that, although it does not prove causation, the evidence supports that quitting smoking may reduce dementia risk.
In a separate press release from Curtin University, which led the research, similar figures were cited: a 31 % higher overall risk and a 40 % higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease among current smokers. While the university’s statement did not specify the vascular dementia figure, it echoed the finding that former smokers had no increased risk.
Calls to Action
Both Xinhua and Curtin University stressed that brain health should be integrated into anti‑smoking strategies. The Australian study called for cigarette packet warnings and quit‑smoking programmes to address dementia risk directly.
These recommendations align with the study’s observation that cessation can mitigate the heightened risk, suggesting that public health messages could broaden their scope from lung disease to cognitive health.
The report therefore adds to the growing body of evidence linking smoking with neurological outcomes and offers a new angle for tobacco control policies worldwide.
