One myth may be keeping some women from even thinking about quitting smoking: the false belief that smoking helps control weight. According to newly released findings, women who believe smoking leads to slimmer waistlines are not likely to kick the habit.

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago analyzed data from about 10,000 smokers who took part in a survey between 2002 and 2007. The study included citizens from the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom.

The survey gauged how likely participants were to quit smoking, specifically in response to higher cigarette prices and marketing campaigns that condemn tobacco use.

Among the female smokers who didn’t believe smoking helps control weight, higher cigarette prices and antismoking messages were both linked to increased attempts to quit. In U.S. women, specifically, a 10 percent increase in cigarette prices was associated with a 6 percent increase in trying to quit. Similarly, an increase in antismoking messages was linked to a 12 percent increase in attempts to quit smoking.

However, neither the higher cigarette prices nor the antismoking messages seemed to sway women who believed smoking helped them stay slim. Among these women, there was no increase in attempts to quit after the uptick in cigarette prices or the ramped-up antismoking messages.

The researchers say similar patterns were seen among smokers in the United Kingdom. These findings were recently published in a journal called “Tobacco Control.”

The lead author of the study says heavy smokers are more likely to be overweight than those who smoke less. Because of that, the idea that smoking helps control weight is unfounded.

With that said, exercise and proper diet remain the proven, healthy ways to achieve a desired weight.