The organization also claims that in 2022, there were around twice as many former adult smokers as current adult smokers. PexelsRELATED: These Plant-Based Foods Can Help Boost Your Lung Health, Expert SaysBut former smokers (and current smokers) can do more for their health beyond putting down the cigarettes. Research suggests that following a plant-based diet rich in nutrient-dense whole foods could also have a significant health impact for ex- and current smokers. “But even those who adopted just a single lifestyle recommendation experienced benefits.”More recently, in April 2024, another study looked at the impact of a nutrient-dense, plant-based diet on current and former smokers. “A plant-based diet is effective at providing the body with antioxidants to help it fight free radicals,” Destini Moody, RD of The Athlete’s Dietitian, tells VegNews.