British scientists from University College London (UCL) have presented the stunning results of a new study on the impact of smoking on life expectancy. According to the updated data, each cigarette smoked shortens life by 20 minutes – almost twice as much as previously thought.
The study is based on an expanded statistical database on mortality among smokers, which allowed for more accurate forecasts. According to the researchers, giving up 10 cigarettes a day can save a whole day of life in just a week, and as much as 50 days over the course of a year.
The data on the overall impact of smoking on life expectancy in the UK is particularly striking: male smokers lose an average of 10 years of life, and women – 11 years. Experts emphasize that a partial reduction in the number of cigarettes is not an effective solution. Only complete smoking cessation can eliminate additional health risks.
“Epidemiological evidence clearly shows that the harm from smoking accumulates, but the sooner a person quits, the longer they will live,” the study authors emphasize. They also note that smoking cessation is beneficial at any age, regardless of the duration of the habit.
Although the 20-minute figure is an average and does not take into account individual smoking patterns, it clearly demonstrates the seriousness of the impact of each cigarette on the body. Researchers hope that such specific figures will help smokers better realize the real cost of their habit.
The full results of the study are published in the scientific journal Addiction. They confirm that smoking remains the leading cause of preventable premature mortality in the UK and around the world.