Is the falling popularity of smoking contributing to increasing obesity prevalence?

"Of course, the major caveat here is that this is a study of association not causation, so interpret these findings with a grain of salt. Nevertheless, it does cast doubt on the notion that smoking cessation is a major driver of the obesity epidemic.

In conclusion, the inverse association between smoking and obesity rates has been well documented (the number of variables that could confound this observation are countless). Although nationwide smoking cessation may have contributed to the North American obesity epidemic, the effect appears to be rather minor."