GIVE up smoking and you could dramatically decrease your risk of developing dementia.

That is the message from an internationally renowned dementia expert to Welsh smokers today, World Alzheimer’s Day.

Bob Woods, who is the emeritus professor of clinical psychology of Older People at Bangor University, has joined forces with Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Wales, to warn smokers of the links between smoking and an increased risk of being diagnosed with conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease.

Approximately 45,000 people in Wales have dementia and by 2021, across Wales that number is projected to increase by 31 per cent and by as much as 44 per cent in some rural areas.

Professor Woods said: “Smoking is reported across numerous studies as increasing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease. In the UK, it is thought that 10 per cent of cases of Alzheimer’s Disease may be attributable to smoking – that’s around 8,000 per annum. The probable mechanism is that smoking increases the risk of heart disease and blood supply problems. Other risk factors for these vascular problems also increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease – diabetes, midlife hypertension, midlife obesity and physical inactivity. These risk factors also increase the risk of developing the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s, known as vascular dementia.”

Suzanne Cass, who is chief executive officer of ASH Wales, added: “There is strong evidence that smoking increases your risk of developing dementia. However, the positive message for smokers is that if they give up, that risk decreases.

“It’s never too late to stop smoking and repair some of the damage you’ve done. We know it’s not easy, but there is plenty of support out there. You don’t need to do this alone and the benefits of a tobacco free life are enormous – not least a decreased risk of developing dementia, a debilitating condition for which there is no cure.”

“Two of the most common forms of dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease and vascular dementia, are linked to problems with the vascular system. It is known that smoking increases the risk of vascular problems."

Visit www.helpmequit.wales for more details.