Discover the life time lost per cigarette smoked

Research from University College London reveals that smokers who fail to quit have their life expectancy reduced by around ten years. In your opinion, what solutions could be available to help these individuals quit smoking?

Precious life lost to tobacco

Researchers at University College London recently conducted a revealing study into the impact of smoking on life expectancy. They found that on average, smokers who continue to smoke lose a decade of life.

Each cigarette consumed reduces life expectancy by 17 minutes for men and 22 minutes for womenan average of 20 minutes lost per cigarette.

The life you can gain by quitting smoking

The damage caused by tobacco is cumulative, meaning the sooner a smoker quits, the longer they will live. The study, published in the journal Addiction on December 29, illustrates this reality in a striking way.

According to researchers, a person who smokes 10 cigarettes a day and quits on January 1, 2025 could avoid losing an entire day of life by January 8, a week by February 20 and a month by here on August 5.

A decade of precious lost moments

“People generally know that smoking is harmful, but tend to underestimate how much”notes Dr Sarah Jackson of UCL. “That represents 10 years of precious time, life moments and important moments with their loved ones. »

Smoking harms the quality of life expectancy

Smoking not only shortens life, it also reduces healthy life expectancy. Indeed, smoking accelerates the onset of health problems and is particularly harmful to the relatively healthy years of the fifties. Early smoking can lead to health comparable to that of a non-smoking person ten years older.

Although these results are only estimates and each individual reacts differently to toxic substances, it is clear that quitting smoking is beneficial for all smokers. The study authors conclude: “The sooner smokers move away from this escalator to death, the longer and healthier they can expect to live. »