AIIMS Study Finds Yoga Could Increase Tobacco Cessation Success by 50%

Summary:
A study by AIIMS-Delhi has found that adding yoga to conventional tobacco cessation treatments could improve short-term quit success by nearly 50%. Published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, the review analyzed seven clinical trials involving 629 participants and found that yoga practices such as Hatha, Vinyasa, Iyengar, and pranayama may reduce stress, depression, nicotine cravings, and withdrawal symptoms. Researchers say yoga shows strong potential as a complementary therapy for tobacco cessation, offering a holistic approach to tackling one of the world’s leading public health challenges. 

Combining yoga with standard tobacco cessation treatments may increase the likelihood of successfully quitting tobacco by nearly 50% in the short term, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, as reported by PTI.

The research, a systematic review and meta-analysis carried out by scientists from AIIMS-Delhi’s Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research and Centre for Community Medicine, was published online in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research on November 15, 2025.

Based on the analysis, the researchers concluded that yoga can function as a moderately effective intervention, improving tobacco cessation outcomes by around 50%.

The study, authored by Shruti Singh, Dhanlika Dhanlika, Partha Haldar, and Gautam Sharma, examined seven randomized controlled trials involving 629 participants across India, the United States, and Thailand. Five of these trials met the criteria for inclusion in the final meta-analysis.

To evaluate quitting outcomes, the researchers used the seven-day point prevalence abstinence (7PPA) measure. The review also incorporated an Indian study involving both smokers and users of smokeless tobacco, a population that has received comparatively limited attention in international research.

According to the researchers, the review brings together the strongest available evidence on yoga-based interventions for tobacco cessation and highlights the therapy’s encouraging potential in supporting people who want to stop using tobacco.

Tobacco consumption continues to be one of the world’s most significant public health concerns, contributing to an estimated 8.7 million deaths each year. Although several conventional cessation therapies are available, long-term relapse remains a major challenge.

The findings indicate that active yoga practices, including Hatha, Vinyasa, and Iyengar, may enhance quit rates by helping reduce stress and depressive symptoms. In addition, pranayama, or yogic breathing techniques, may help lessen nicotine cravings and manage the negative emotional effects associated with withdrawal.

Gautam Sharma, Professor of Cardiology and Founder and Head of the Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research at AIIMS-Delhi, described yoga as a valuable mind-body approach that can support tobacco cessation efforts.