Smoking kills.
It’s a message most people will have heard. But just how much does smoking affect life expectancy?
In a new editorial, we estimate that on average, each cigarette steals approximately 20 minutes of life.
@robertjwest.bsky.social @ucl-targ.bsky.social
It’s a message most people will have heard. But just how much does smoking affect life expectancy?
In a new editorial, we estimate that on average, each cigarette steals approximately 20 minutes of life.
@robertjwest.bsky.social @ucl-targ.bsky.social
Comments
Based on the average lifetime consumption of cigarettes, that equates to ~20 minutes of life lost for each cigarette smoked - almost 7 hours of life for each pack of 20.
Some people might argue that 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…
This means a 60-year-old smoker will typically have the health profile of a 70-year-old non-smoker.
This is time that would likely be spent in relatively good health. Time that could be spent with loved ones.
The sooner a person stops smoking, the longer and healthier they can expect their life to be.
You are more likely to be successful if you use nicotine replacement therapies, nicotine e-cigarettes, or nicotine-free medications.
Get free help and support to quit from the NHS here:
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/
It’s never too late to make a positive change for your health.
If you’re thinking about making quitting smoking your New Year’s resolution, get free help and support here:
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/