Smoking is killing humans each day. A study at University College London has revealed that 20 cigarettes can take up to seven hours of an individual’s life, while the number is 18 minutes for men and 22 minutes for women. Each cigarette can take up to 20 minutes of an individual’s life. The shortening of life expectancy is due to cigarettes now having the most impact.
The study also showed that quitting smoking can immediately benefit life expectancy. If a smoker who smokes 10 cigarettes a day quits on January 1, they could save a full day of life by January 8, 2024.
If they quit until February 5, they could gain a week of life, and by stopping until August 5, they could add a month to their life. By the end of the year, quitting could prevent the loss of up to 50 days of life.
Dr Sarah Jackson, from UCL’s alcohol and tobacco research group, said that while people know smoking is harmful, they often underestimate how much it affects their health. Smokers who do not quit typically lose around 10 years of life, which means missing out on significant life moments with family and friends.
DEATH TOLL ANNUALLY
Smoking remains one of the leading causes of preventable disease and death. In the UK, it is responsible for around 80,000 deaths annually and contributes to a quarter of all cancer deaths in England.
The study, commissioned by the Department of Health, used data from two major long-term studies: the British Doctors Study, which began in 1951, and the Million Women Study, tracking women’s health since 1996.
In 2021, smoking was responsible for an estimated 1.35 million deaths in India, which is about 17.8% of total deaths, as per WHO.
A recent study published in the Journal of Addiction reveals that smoking a single cigarette shortens life expectancy by 20 minutes, almost double the 11 minutes found in a previous 2000 study.
The latest findings show that men lose 17 minutes per cigarette, while women lose 22 minutes on average.
Dr Sarah Jackson from University College London explained that smoking doesn’t just affect the later years of life, which are often marked by illness, but it accelerates the onset of health problems in middle age. For instance, a 60-year-old smoker may experience health conditions typical of a 70-year-old non-smoker.
While some smokers live long lives, others develop serious diseases much earlier, with some dying in their 40s due to smoking-related illnesses. The impact varies depending on factors like smoking habits and how deeply a person inhales.
SMOKING EVEN ONE CIGARETTE IS HARMFUL
The study emphasises that quitting smoking entirely is crucial to reversing its harmful effects. Even light smoking — such as smoking just one cigarette a day — still carries significant health risks, including a higher likelihood of heart disease and stroke.
The earlier a person quits, the greater the health benefits, and the longer they can expect to live.
Experts urge smokers to quit as soon as possible, citing that there is no safe level of smoking. Prof. Sanjay Agrawal from the Royal College of Physicians noted that each cigarette smoked reduces life expectancy and has a cumulative effect on both individual health and the wider healthcare system.
The Department of Health encourages smokers to use resources like the NHS Quit Smoking app and the Personal Quit Plan for support tailored to individual needs.