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A new study from University College London (UCL) has revealed that smoking just one cigarette can reduce a person’s lifespan by an average of 20 minutes. The groundbreaking research, published in the journal Addiction, analyzed the effects of smoking on the longevity of individuals in the U.K., offering fresh insights into the grave health risks posed by even a single cigarette.
The study’s findings are alarming, with the team calculating that long-term smokers lose approximately 17 minutes of life expectancy for each cigarette smoked. Women, however, suffer a slightly greater toll, with each cigarette taking an average of 22 minutes off their lifespan. This stark data was derived from the British Doctors Study and the Million Women Study, two extensive research projects that tracked the health outcomes of men and women in the U.K. over several decades.
For years, smoking has been recognized as a leading cause of preventable disease and death, and this study underscores the significant impact it has on life expectancy. Despite the well-established risks, more than 6.5 million people in the U.K. continue to smoke.
The UCL researchers also emphasize the cumulative nature of the damage caused by smoking, noting that the harm done by each cigarette builds over time. This highlights the importance of quitting smoking, with the benefits varying depending on factors such as age, health status, and smoking habits.
One of the key takeaways from the study is that quitting smoking can have immediate and long-term health benefits. For instance, just one week of not smoking can prevent a one-day reduction in life expectancy, and quitting for several months could avoid a loss of up to a full week of life. The team also highlighted that quitting smoking at a younger age is particularly beneficial, reducing the risk of smoking-related ailments by up to 90% for those who quit by age 40.
Lead researcher Sarah E. Jackson and her team hope that by quantifying the damage caused by a single cigarette, they can encourage more people to give up smoking. “Our study aims to highlight the tangible cost of smoking, hoping that individuals will think twice before lighting up,” said Jackson.
This research adds to a growing body of evidence warning of the devastating health effects of smoking. It is expected to further influence public health campaigns and policy, as efforts to reduce smoking rates continue globally.
For more information, see the full study in Addiction journal: “The Price of a Cigarette: 20 Minutes of Life?” (2024). DOI: 10.1111/add.16757.
