Smokers Lose Up To 22 Minutes Of Life Per Cigarette, New Study Warns

New research has revealed that each cigarette smoked can shorten a person’s life by as much as 22 minutes, with women losing more time than men. These findings, which build upon previous estimates, highlight the cumulative harm caused by smoking and underscore the benefits of quitting as early as possible.

According to experts from University College London (UCL), a single cigarette decreases life expectancy by an average of 20 minutes across both genders, with women losing 22 minutes and men 17 minutes. These updated estimates, based on the latest long-term health data, exceed previous studies, which suggested that each cigarette took 11 minutes off a smoker’s life.

The Cumulative Impact of Smoking

The research, commissioned by the Department for Health and Social Care, also stresses that the effects of smoking are cumulative. The sooner a smoker quits, the more they can reduce their overall risk of early death. Researchers emphasized that every cigarette smoked contributes to a greater loss of life, but quitting smoking as early as possible can help prevent further damage.

For example, if someone who smokes 10 cigarettes a day were to quit on January 1, by January 8 they could prevent the loss of an entire day of life. If they were to continue their quit attempt until February 20, their life expectancy could increase by a full week. A successful quit attempt lasting until August 5 could potentially add a full month to their life.

Health Implications Beyond Life Expectancy

The study, to be published in the Journal of Addiction, also outlines how smoking affects not just longevity but quality of life. The researchers pointed out that smokers typically lose as many years of healthy life as they do total years. This means that smoking disproportionately impacts the middle years of life—those that would normally be free of chronic illness or disability—rather than just shortening the final years, which are often marked by chronic health conditions.

“For instance, a 60-year-old smoker is likely to have the health profile of a 70-year-old non-smoker,” said Professor Sanjay Agrawal, one of the study’s lead authors.

The Urgency of Quitting

The authors of the study argue that the longer a person continues smoking, the greater the cumulative health impact. “Stopping smoking at every age is beneficial, but the sooner smokers get off this escalator of death, the longer and healthier they can expect their lives to be,” the researchers stated.

Dr. Sarah Jackson, a principal research fellow at UCL’s Alcohol and Tobacco Research Group, emphasized the importance of understanding the profound health risks associated with smoking. “Quitting at any age can significantly improve health and life expectancy, with benefits that begin almost immediately,” she said. “It is never too late to make a positive change for your health.”

Support and Resources for Smokers

Public health officials are encouraging smokers to take advantage of available support to quit. The NHS provides a range of resources, including the Quit Smoking app and a personalized quit plan, to help individuals stop smoking for good.

Public Health Minister Andrew Gwynne noted, “Smoking is a costly and deadly habit, and these new findings reveal the shocking reality of this addiction. The new year is a perfect opportunity for smokers to make a resolution to quit.”

Professor Agrawal added that the cumulative effects of smoking are devastating not only for individuals but also for the healthcare system and the broader economy. “This research serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to address cigarette smoking as the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the UK.”