How much life are you losing? – Firstpost

Smoking remains one of the most significant preventable causes of disease and death worldwide.

With the new year approaching, experts are calling on smokers to kick the habit, supported by fresh research that reveals the devastating toll cigarettes take on health and life expectancy.

The shocking numbers behind smoking

A recent study by researchers at University College London (UCL), commissioned by the UK Department for Health and Social Care, has unveiled new insights into the damage caused by smoking.

On average, a single cigarette cuts 20 minutes off a person’s life — 17 minutes for men and 22 minutes for women. For a 20-cigarette pack, that equates to nearly seven hours of lost life.

This alarming figure is nearly double the previous estimate of 11 minutes per cigarette, based on earlier research from the British Medical Journal. The new analysis draws on decades of data from studies like the British Doctors Study and the Million Women Study, offering a more comprehensive understanding of smoking’s impact.

The Guardian quoted Dr. Sarah Jackson, principal research fellow at UCL’s Alcohol and Tobacco Research Group, who stated, “People generally know that smoking is harmful but tend to underestimate just how much. On average, smokers who don’t quit lose around a decade of life — 10 years of precious time, life moments, and milestones with loved ones.”

Smoking erodes healthy years

The research highlights that smoking primarily reduces the relatively healthy middle years of life, rather than shortening the chronically ill period at the end. For instance, a 60-year-old smoker is likely to have the health profile of a 70-year-old non-smoker.

While some smokers may live long lives, the variability depends on factors like the type of cigarette, frequency of smoking, and individual susceptibility to toxins.

However, the overall message remains clear: smoking’s cumulative effects are devastating, and no level of smoking is safe.

The study underscores the immediate and long-term benefits of quitting smoking. For a smoker who quits a 10-cigarette-a-day habit on January 1, they could prevent losing a full day of life by January 8, a week by February 20, and a month by August 5. By the end of the year, they could have avoided losing 50 days of life.

“It’s never too late to make a positive change for your health,” said Jackson. “Quitting at any age substantially improves health, and the benefits start almost immediately.”

The findings also reiterate that complete cessation is essential to reap the full benefits. Partial reductions in smoking still carry significant risks, including heart disease and stroke.

A global health crisis

According to the World Health Organisation, tobacco use claims over 8 million lives annually, including 1.3 million deaths from secondhand smoke exposure. The epidemic disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries, home to 80 per cent of the world’s 1.3 billion tobacco users.

Professor Sanjay Agrawal, a tobacco adviser at the Royal College of Physicians was quoted by The Independent, who described smoking as “an escalator of death” and urged smokers to take immediate action. “Every cigarette smoked costs precious minutes of life, and the cumulative impact is devastating, not only for individuals but also for our healthcare system and economy.”

For those ready to quit in the UK, resources like the NHS Quit Smoking app and the Personal Quit Plan are available to provide tailored advice and support.

UK Public Health Minister Andrew Gwynne encouraged smokers to seize the opportunity of a new year to make lasting changes. “Smoking is an expensive and deadly habit, and these findings reveal the shocking reality of this addiction,” he said. “The new year offers a perfect chance for smokers to make a new resolution and take that step.”

By quitting smoking, individuals can not only extend their lives but also ensure that the years they gain are healthier and more fulfilling.

With inputs from agencies