Regular yoga practice may significantly improve the success of tobacco cessation while enhancing mental well-being, according to a new systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by researchers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
Published in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research, the study evaluated data from seven randomised controlled trials involving 629 participants across India, the United States, and Thailand. Researchers found that individuals who practised yoga alongside tobacco cessation interventions had nearly 50% higher odds of achieving short-term abstinence compared to those receiving conventional or non-yoga approaches.
The review highlighted that yoga not only supports quitting tobacco but also addresses key psychological triggers associated with addiction. Participants reported reduced levels of anxiety, depression, stress, and tobacco cravings, along with improved quality of life factors that can lower the risk of relapse.
The analysis covered multiple yoga practices, including Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, and Pranayama (breathing exercises). Active yoga styles were found to help reduce stress and depressive symptoms, while breathing techniques effectively managed withdrawal-related cravings and negative emotions.
Researchers also noted the importance of an Indian clinical trial included in the review, which examined both smokers and smokeless tobacco users, expanding evidence beyond cigarette smoking alone.
Despite the encouraging findings, the authors emphasised that more large-scale, long-term studies are needed, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where tobacco consumption remains high.
Dr. Gautam Sharma, Professor of Cardiology and Founder of the Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research at AIIMS-Delhi, said yoga is a valuable mind-body intervention that promotes emotional balance, stress management, and self-awareness qualities that can help individuals overcome addictive behaviours.
The researchers concluded that while yoga should not replace established tobacco cessation therapies, it can serve as a safe, affordable, and culturally acceptable complementary approach to improve quit rates and support long-term recovery.
