New Research: Each Cigarette Reduces Life Expectancy by 20 Minutes

A recent study from University College London has shown that each cigarette, on average, reduces human life by 20 minutes; a statistic that is higher than previous estimates. The figure derived from the 'effect of smoking on life expectancy' in new research is nearly double the estimates from the year 2000, meaning that a pack of 20 cigarettes reduces individuals' life expectancy by an average of seven hours. Analyses indicate that if a smoker who consumes 10 cigarettes daily quits smoking on January 1st of the new year, they can prevent the loss of a full day of life by January 8th. This individual can add a week to their life by quitting by February 5th and a month by quitting by August 5th. By the end of the year, they could prevent the loss of 50 days of life. Dr. Sarah Jackson, a senior researcher in the Alcohol and Tobacco Research Group at University College London, states: 'People generally know that smoking is harmful but tend to underestimate its damage.' According to this researcher, individuals who do not quit smoking lose about a decade of their life on average. Smoking is one of the most significant preventable causes of disease and death worldwide, killing up to two-thirds of long-term users. The Guardian reported that approximately 80,000 deaths due to smoking are recorded annually in the UK, and one-fourth of cancer-related deaths in the UK are linked to smoking. This study was commissioned by the UK Department of Health and is based on the latest data from the UK Doctors' Study, which has been ongoing since 1951 and involves one million women. Previous BMJ assessments in 2000 indicated that each cigarette reduced an individual's life by about 11 minutes, but the new analysis published in the 'Journal of Addiction' has increased this figure to nearly 20 minutes. According to new estimates, each cigarette reduces men's life by about 17 minutes and women's by 22 minutes. Dr. Jackson notes that contrary to popular belief, smoking does not shorten the 'unhealthy end-of-life period' but primarily damages the 'relatively healthy middle age' years. This means that the health profile of a 60-year-old smoker typically resembles that of a 70-year-old non-smoker. While some smokers live long lives, others develop smoking-related diseases and may even lose their lives in their 40s. This difference depends on various smoking habits such as 'type of cigarette smoked,' 'sensitivity to toxins,' 'number of puffs,' and 'depth of inhalation.' The authors emphasize that smokers must quit entirely to benefit from the 'full health and longevity advantages.' Previous research has shown that there is no safe level of smoking, as even smoking one cigarette a day poses only about 50% less risk of heart disease and stroke compared to those who smoke 20 cigarettes daily. Scientists stress that quitting smoking is beneficial at any age, but the sooner smokers detach from this unhealthy path, the longer and healthier their lives will be. The World Health Organization previously described smoking as a 'global epidemic' and stated that more than eight million people worldwide die each year due to tobacco use. The latest statistics released by the Iranian Ministry of Health regarding tobacco consumption pertain to the year 1400 in the Iranian calendar. According to these statistics, about 25.88% of Iranian men and 4.44% of women consume tobacco. In other words, on average, 14% of the population over 18 years old in Iran uses various tobacco products. Based on this data, tobacco consumption in Iran has been 'rising' between the years 1395 and 1400, with increases of 3% and 11% among men and women, respectively. Mohammad Reza Masjedi, Secretary-General of the Iranian Tobacco Control Society, announced on October 21 that the warning age for smoking among students has reached the third grade. Recently, residents of major Iranian cities have been affected by air pollution caused by mazut fuel in power plants, which is often compared to the dangers of smoking. Abbas Shahsouni, head of the Air Health and Climate Change Group at the Ministry of Health, stated in December 1402 that inhaling polluted air is equivalent to 'smoking 3 to 7 cigarettes' for the entire population, including children.