How quitting nicotine can benefit people living with HIV

Quitting nicotine has countless short and long-term benefits, some of which start to impact the body almost immediately. For people living with HIV, quitting nicotine – especially cigarette smoking - is particularly important, and can improve the effectiveness of medication and lower health risks. 

Every year since 1988, World AIDS Day has been celebrated in December to raise awareness about HIV and honor those affected by the AIDS epidemic. It also provides an opportunity to share resources about maintaining a healthy lifestyle while managing HIV – including by quitting smoking and vaping.

If you or someone you know has questions about quitting nicotine while living with HIV, there are resources to help. EX Program, a free digital quitting resource developed by Truth Initiative with Mayo Clinic, can increase the odds of quitting by up to 40% and provides answers to frequently asked questions about HIV and quitting. The EX Community, the most established online forum for current and former tobacco users, also provides a free gathering place where people can come together to get support and share advice.

How quitting smoking and vaping can improve health outcomes for people with HIV:

Managing and treating HIV:

• Quitting smoking can help improve the T-cell count – a crucial component of the immune system response.
• Quitting smoking may improve the effectiveness of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) medication.  
• The longer somebody abstains from smoking, the more substantially they can reduce their HIV symptoms.

Lowering overall health risks: 

• Quitting smoking can lower the risk of serious health complications for people with HIV, such as lung infections, COPD, bacterial pneumonia, cancer, heart disease and stroke, and more.
• Short-term benefits of quitting smoking, such as decreased heart rate and blood pressure, increased blood circulation, reduced coughing or shortness of breath, and the return of healthier carbon monoxide levels, can also bring relief. 

Improving mental health: 

• Nicotine addiction can increase stress and intensify symptoms of depression and anxiety.
• By quitting smoking, vaping, or any nicotine product, people can give themselves the best chances of managing stress, improving their mood and quality of life.

Empowering LGBTQ+, Black, and Hispanic/Latino communities to live free from nicotine addiction

Health disparities related to systemic inequities including health care access, poverty, stigma, discrimination, insurance coverage, and other social determinants of health have impacted rates of HIV diagnoses across age, sex, race/ethnicity, geographic location, and other demographic categories. HIV disproportionately impacts the LGBTQ+ community, as well as Black Americans and Hispanic/Latino Americans. People with HIV are also less likely to quit smoking compared to the general population.

The tobacco industry has, and continues to, disproportionately target the LGBTQ+, Black, and Hispanic/Latino communities with advertising, coupons, and flavored products. To empower LGBTQ+, Black, and Hispanic/Latino communities to live free from nicotine addiction, Truth Initiative has launched the Culture + Cessation Collective to build lasting partnerships that drive culturally responsive, community-led solutions for tobacco cessation.

The Culture + Cessation Collective includes three coalitions of community leaders – Pride + Progress, Breath of Freedom, and Respira Vida – each focused on the unique needs of the LGBTQ+, Black, and Hispanic/Latino communities. Coalitions gather for facilitated discussions centered on cultural sensitivity, community-specific challenges, and practical solutions, all with a policy-driven approach to ending nicotine addiction in these communities.

Learn more about the Collective or join here to receive the latest updates, newsletters, and opportunities for involvement.   

See below for other resources related to HIV and quitting smoking. 

• Smoking and HIV (hiv.gov)
• Living with HIV (CDC.gov)
• Community resources for people with HIV (nih.gov)