Successfully quitting smoking may lead to improved mental health, particularly in patients with depression, a new study had found.

The research, published by Kings College London and the Charles University in Prague, studied a group of smokers with poor mental health over a one year period.

After giving up for good, around two-thirds (66.3 per cent) of those who had moderate or severe depression when smoking believed they had no or minimal symptoms during a one-year follow-up.

The researchers found that those who still reported symptoms of depression were less likely to have successfully quit smoking after one year, suggesting that patients with poor mental health may require extra help to kick the habit.

It further found that smoking rates among people with mental health conditions are more than double those of the general population, at approximately 40 per cent.

The study estimates that of the 9.6 million adult smokers in the UK, around three million have a mental health condition.

Dr Leonie Brose, senior author of the publication, said: “Our study shows that stop smoking services can be very effective at supporting people with depression, and that increased visits greatly improve the success of quit attempts.

“The findings also suggest that giving up smoking may improve depressive symptoms, improving mental as well as physical health.

“While there’s been an overall fall in smoking rates in recent decades, there hasn’t been the same decline among people with mental health problems.

“We hope that this research will help boost mental health services and stop smoking services in the UK giving effective support and medication to those who need it most.”