A study published Monday shows that women who smoke are much more likely than non-smokers to develop clogged arteries in the legs, Reuters reports.

The study, reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that female smokers were up to 17 times more likely than non-smokers to develop peripheral artery disease (PAD).

It also shows that women who kicked the habit appeared to lower their risk of PAD -- though they did not eliminate it. People with PAD often have widespread atherosclerosis, including coronary heart disease. Researchers also gained clues as to why smoking might lead to PAD.

Based on blood samples from a group of women, high levels of certain inflammatory proteins accounted for some of the risk linked to smoking. The findings suggest that smoking leads to PAD, in part, by spurring chronic inflammation in the blood vessels.