One cigarette, 20 minutes less

Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable mortality worldwide, with devastating effects on health and quality of life. According to a study by University College London (UCL), a single cigarette reduces an average of 20 minutes of life expectancy. These figures, which concern both men and women, serve as a reminder of the importance of strengthening anti-tobacco policies.

Loss of life expectancy and quality of life

According to UCL researchers, Regular smokers lose on average 10 years of life expectancy compared to non-smokers. This estimate, updated in 2024, exceeds the previous ones, which suggested a loss of 11 minutes per cigarette. The figures are particularly worrying for women, who waste on average 22 minutes per cigarette, compared to 17 minutes for men.

These lost years are often years of good health, essential for fully enjoying an active retirement. Dr Sarah Jackson, head of the study, emphasizes: “Smoking not only shortens life, but also advances the onset of chronic health problems. A 60-year-old smoker often has the health profile of a 70-year-old non-smoker.”

Diseases linked to smoking include serious conditions such as cancers (lung, bladder), cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, but also less visible disorders, such as decreased respiratory capacity from the age of 40.

Stopping smoking: measurable benefits at any age

Even for long-time smokers, quitting brings tangible benefits. According to medical studies, the benefits are almost immediate:

• 20 minutes after the last cigarette : the heart rate slows down, and blood circulation improves;
• 72 hours after stopping : breathing becomes easier, and energy levels increase;
• 12 weeks after stopping : blood circulation is significantly improved;
• one year after stopping : the risk of heart attack is reduced by half compared to that of an active smoker.

Even older smokers can improve their life expectancy and quality of life. Quitting at age 75 can further reduce the risk of serious illness and extend healthy years. To maximize these benefits, experts insist onimportance of total weaningrather than a simple reduction in consumption. A study published in the British Medical Journal revealed that smoking just one cigarette per day maintains significant cardiovascular risks, close to those of a daily pack.

Anti-tobacco policies strengthened internationally

Faced with this scourge, many countries are strengthening their legislative arsenal. The United Kingdom, for example, plans to ban the purchase of cigarettes for life for people born after 2009. An ambitious measure which aims to create a “tobacco-free generation”. Furthermore, restrictions on places where smoking is permitted are expanding. In Milan, it is now prohibited to smoke outdoors within 10 meters of another person, making the act almost impossible in public spaces.

In France, smoking bans have considerably reduces exposure to tobacco in public places. Since the 2000s, smoking has been banned on trains, restaurants and, more recently, in green spaces. These measures have led to a notable reduction in public health problems:

• a 15% reduction in heart attacks in countries that have adopted similar laws.
• a reduction in emergency admissions of children for severe asthma in Scotland.

However, the road remains long. A third of French people still smoke, compared to 20% of Italians, which slows down the implementation of more ambitious laws, such as a complete ban on smoking in public spaces.

The role of pricing and awareness campaigns

In France, the price of tobacco remains a central lever in the fight against smoking. THE cost of a package exceeded 12 euros in 2024, and it is expected to reach 13 euros by 2027. This strategy aims to deter younger people, but according to experts, it must be combined with other measures. Yves Martinet, president of the National Committee against Smoking, explains: “Price is a powerful lever, but it is not enough. Anti-tobacco policies must be cumulative to be effective.”

Campaigns like Tobacco Info Service or the British app NHS Quit Smoking play a key role in supporting smokers. These tools offer personalized advice, strategies to resist cravings, and resources to maintain motivation. Awareness-raising measures also make it possible to denormalize the act of smoking, making it less socially tolerated.

The smoking remains responsible for 75,000 annual deaths in Francebut anti-smoking measures are bearing fruit. Consumption among young people is decreasing: in 2022, only 16% of 17-year-olds smoked daily, compared to 41% in 2000. Although alternative practices such as vaping or puffs are developing, restrictive policies and awareness campaigns leave glimpse a future where smoking could become a habit of the past.

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