Smoking may lead to more belly fat, a new study suggests. Here's why that's concerning

Mark another point against smoking: It may cause an increase in a type of body fat linked to serious disease, according to a new study. Both starting smoking and spending a lifetime smoking cigarettes was associated with an increase in abdominal fat, according to a study. The increase may be in visceral fat, which surrounds organs within the abdomen. Too much visceral fat can create inflammation, contributing to chronic disease. Smoking cessation is encouraged to improve overall health. Quitting smoking is famously hard, but support programs and finding new ways to cope with stress can help. Exercise is also beneficial for quitting smoking and reducing stress.