A recent study by John Hopkins University researchers has revealed that the risk of contracting diabetes might be hiked in people who quit smoking, as giving up the habit could make them put on weight.

The researchers, however, have been quick to assert that smokers should not use the study as an excuse to not quit, rather should focus more on maintaing their weight after giving up the habit.

The new study has added further proof to the speculation that giving up smoking adds to the risk of diabetes. Lead researcher Hsin-Chieh Yeh has pointed out that doctors should help quitters manage their weight effectively and a good option can be nicotine replacement therapy.

"The message is, don’t even start to smoke. If you smoke, give it up. That’s the right thing to do. But people have to also watch their weight", said Professor Yeh.

For the sake of study, researchers’ analyzed data collected from nearly 11,000 subjects between the age groups of 45 and 64, who were followed for 9 years. It was then discovered that smokers who had quit about 3-5 years before the study began were 80% likely to develop type 2 diabetes, as compared to those who never smoked.

Also, those who kicked the habit within the first 3 years of the research were 73% more at risk.

Details of the study have been published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.