Experts are urging smokers to quit as new research highlights the significant loss of life expectancy caused by regular smoking.
By now, most people are aware of the severe health risks associated with smoking tobacco. However, a recent study has provided an updated insight into how much the habit shortens one’s life.
Dr. Sarah Jackson, a principal research fellow at UCL’s alcohol and tobacco research group, discussed the findings of the study and the harmful effects of smoking. She commented: “People generally know that smoking is harmful but tend to underestimate just how much.”
“On average, smokers who don’t quit lose around a decade of life. That’s 10 years of precious time, life moments, and milestones with loved ones.”
Researchers at University College London discovered that, on average, each cigarette takes about 20 minutes off a person’s life. This means that a typical pack of 20 cigarettes can reduce a person’s life by almost seven hours.
The study, commissioned by the Department of Health, is based on the latest data from the British Doctors Study and was published in the Journal of Addiction.
Over time, this adds up and can lead to a range of health problems in addition to a reduced life expectancy.
The assessment also highlighted how much life someone could regain if they quit smoking in 2025.
According to the findings, a smoker who smokes 10 cigarettes a day and quits on January 1st could prevent losing an entire day of life by January 8th.
They could extend their life expectancy by a week if they quit by February 5th, and a whole month if they stop by August 5th. By the end of the year, they could have saved 50 days of life, the analysis concluded.
Jackson further explained that continuing to smoke can lead to various health issues and a shorter lifespan.
She stated: “Some people might think they don’t mind missing out on a few years of life, given that old age is often marked by chronic illness or disability. But smoking doesn’t cut short the unhealthy period at the end of life.”
“It primarily eats into the relatively healthy years in midlife, bringing forward the onset of ill-health. This means a 60-year-old smoker will typically have the health profile of a 70-year-old non-smoker.”
The study’s authors also highlight the health benefits of quitting smoking at any age, making this a potentially great New Year’s resolution for 2025.