Smoking is one of the leading preventable risk factors for mortality and a host of diseases. A meta-analysis in the Journal of Postgraduate Medicine reported a significantly higher incidence of diverticular disease among current smokers compared to nonsmokers. Nicotine affects the activity and tone of muscles of the gut, resulting in reduced contractions. This may make smokers more vulnerable to experiencing symptoms of diverticulitis. Former smokers fall within the incidence percentages, which could indicate that smoking cessation lowers the chances of developing diverticulitis.

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