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The Effect of Smoking Cessation on Mental Health: Evidence from a Randomized Trial

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  • Katherine Meckel
  • Katherine P. Rittenhouse

Abstract

One in nine Americans smokes cigarettes, and a disproportionate share of smokers suffer from mental illness. Despite this correlation, there exists little rigorous evidence on the effects of smoking cessation on mental health. We re-use data from a randomized trial of a smoking cessation treatment to estimate short and long-term impacts on previously un-analyzed measures of mental distress. We find that smoking cessation increases short-run mental distress, while reducing milder forms of long-run distress. We provide suggestive evidence on mechanisms including physical health, marriage, employment and substance use. Our results suggest that cessation efforts and mental health supports are complementary interventions in the short run and provide new evidence of welfare gains from cessation in the long run.

Suggested Citation

  • Katherine Meckel & Katherine P. Rittenhouse, 2022. "The Effect of Smoking Cessation on Mental Health: Evidence from a Randomized Trial," NBER Working Papers 29867, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:29867
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    Cited by:

    1. Katherine Meckel & Bradley T. Shapiro, 2025. "Depression and grocery shopping behavior," Quantitative Marketing and Economics (QME), Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 291-317, June.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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