Each cigarette smoked reduces life expectancy by 17 to 22 minutes, according to a recent study. This figure, higher than previous estimates, underlines the urgency of raising awareness of the dangers of tobacco.
Tobacco, responsible for millions of preventable deaths each year, continues to be a major issue for public health. A new study, published in the Journal of Addictionreveals that the effects of tobacco on thelife expectancy are even more serious than we thought. The researchers analyzed data modern epidemiological studies to provide an up-to-date estimate of the consequences of each cigarette smoke.
An upwardly revised estimate
Twenty years ago, a study estimated that a cigarette cost 11 minutes of life. Today, researchers estimate this loss at 17 minutes for men and 22 minutes for women. This difference is explained by more comprehensive data, including studies on female cohorts and modern smoking habits.
Research shows that the effects of tobacco vary by gender. Women, for example, lose more life per cigarette, in part due to biological differences and specific consumption patterns.
The mechanisms of tobacco harm
Cigarette smoke contains toxic substances such as tar and the carbon monoxidewhich damage the lungs, heart and blood vessels. These compounds cause serious illnesses, such as cancer and cardiovascular disorders, reducing both the duration and duration quality of life.
And if smokers reduce their cigarette consumption, they then inhale more deeply, increasing their exposure to toxins. Thus, the damage caused by each cigarette remains significant, or even worsens, despite reduced consumption.
-A cumulative impact on health
Smoking not only affects life expectancy, but also healthy years of life. A 60 year old smoker can have the health of a 70 year old non-smoker, due toacceleration of aging organs. Chronic diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart problems, appear earlier in smokers.
Quitting smoking allows a person smoking 10 cigarettes a day to save approximately one day of life in one week of abstinence. Over a year, this represents nearly 50 days of life saved, a motivating figure for those who wish to stop.
Immediate benefits of stopping
Completely stopping smoking is essential to maximize gains in life expectancy. Reducing your consumption is not enough to compensate for the accumulated damage. In fact, going from one pack per day to just one cigarette does not reduce the risk of disease cardiovascular than 50%. If this is a good start, it is indeed the total stop that we must try to aim for for optimal benefit. Furthermore, there is no age to quit: studies show that even at age 75, quitting smoking significantly improves health and reduces the risk of serious illnesses.
These figures remind us of the importance of prevention campaigns. Every cigarette not smoked is a victory for public and individual health.
