Drinking and Smoking: Why They Go Together and How to Quit Both

By the NuLife Smoking Cessation Team · Reviewed by a certified smoking cessation specialist · Last updated November 2026

Why drinking and smoking go together

• Alcohol makes cigarettes taste better. In a Duke University study, 44% of smokers said alcohol made cigarettes taste better.
• It lowers your guard. After a drink or two, “just one” feels easier to justify.
• They share the same moments. Patios, parties, bars and the end of a long day are often where both habits happen.

Why the combination is so harmful

According to the National Cancer Institute, the risk of cancer is much higher for people who both drink alcohol and use tobacco than for people who do only one. That includes cancers of the mouth and throat.

Quitting smoking can help with drinking too

Many people worry that quitting smoking will make it harder to cut back on alcohol. Research suggests the opposite:

• A review of studies of people in addiction treatment found that adding help to quit smoking was linked to a 25% higher chance of staying off alcohol and drugs long term.
• A Columbia University study of more than 34,000 adults found that people with a past drinking problem who kept smoking had about twice the odds of relapsing to alcohol dependence three years later.

5 tips to get through drinks without smoking

1. Skip alcohol for the first few weeks if you can. That’s when slips are most likely.
2. Plan your first outings. Choose places where smoking isn’t easy, and decide ahead of time what you’ll say when someone offers you one.
3. Alternate with water. Water makes cigarettes taste worse, and it slows down your drinking.
4. Keep your hands busy. Hold your drink in the hand you used to smoke with, or keep sugar-free gum on you.
5. Have an exit plan. If cravings get strong, it’s okay to leave early.

How NuLife can help

NuLife combines traditional acupuncture technique with low-level laser therapy (photobiomodulation) to help reduce cravings and withdrawal. One-on-one counselling helps you plan for triggers like drinking, so a night out doesn’t turn into a cigarette.

If you also want support with alcohol, we run an Alcohol Reset program. Ask about it on your call.

Frequently asked questions

Should I quit drinking and smoking at the same time?

It depends on you. Research shows quitting smoking doesn’t make cutting back on alcohol harder, and may help. We’ll talk about what fits you during your assessment. If you drink heavily, talk to your doctor before stopping alcohol suddenly.

Why do I crave a cigarette when I drink?

Alcohol makes cigarettes taste better and lowers your guard, and the two habits are often linked to the same places and moments.

Can I have a drink while I’m quitting?

It’s safest to avoid alcohol for the first few weeks, when slips are most likely. After that, plan ahead for every drinking situation.

Does the program help with vaping too?

Yes. Our program helps with smoking, vaping and all nicotine products. Read more on our Laser Quit Smoking Program page.

Sources

• Dairy, fruits and veggies may help smokers quit, Duke Health (2007)
• Alcohol and cancer risk, National Cancer Institute
• A meta-analysis of smoking cessation interventions with individuals in substance abuse treatment or recovery (2004)
• Smoking linked to alcohol relapse, Columbia University (2015)