Smokers’ life expectancy is said to diminish by approximately 20 minutes per cigarette, according to a new study—almost double the previous estimate of 11 minutes by doctors—encouraging smokers to quit in 2025. Research from University College London (UCL) has revealed that smoking may be even more detrimental than previously thought.
The analysis estimates that smoking a pack of 20 cigarettes can shorten life by nearly seven hours. It also highlights that quitting smoking can yield immediate benefits. For instance, a person who smokes 10 cigarettes daily could prevent losing an entire day of life within the first eight days of January if they quit at the start of the year.
By maintaining their resolution, they could potentially add a week to their life expectancy by early February, a month by August, and up to 50 days by the end of 2025.
Smoking remains one of the leading preventable causes of disease and death worldwide, responsible for up to two-thirds of fatalities among long-term smokers. In the UK, smoking is linked to approximately 80,000 deaths annually and accounts for a quarter of all cancer-related deaths in England.
The UCL study was commissioned by the Department of Health and incorporates data from landmark studies, including the British Doctors Study and the Million Women Study. These extensive datasets have monitored the health impacts of smoking for decades. The latest findings, published in the Journal of Addiction, show that the effects of smoking are even more pronounced for women, with each cigarette reducing life expectancy by 22 minutes, compared to 17 minutes for men.
While some smokers may reach old age, many suffer from smoking-related illnesses, with some fatalities occurring as early as their 40s. The variability in outcomes depends on smoking behaviours, such as the type of cigarettes used, the frequency of inhalation, and individual susceptibility to harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke. The study also emphasises that smoking not only shortens life but accelerates the onset of ill-health, effectively ageing smokers’ health profiles by a decade.
The research reinforces the importance of quitting completely, as even minimal smoking carries significant risks. For instance, individuals smoking a single cigarette daily still face about half the risk of heart disease and stroke as those who smoke a full pack daily. However, cessation at any stage can significantly improve health outcomes and life expectancy.
Public health officials are urging smokers to seek support through available resources, including the NHS Quit Smoking app and the Personal Quit Plan, which provides tailored advice.
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