New Study Reveals Dangers Of Smoking Heavy On Women Than Men

The next time you light a cigarette, consider this: according to a recent study conducted at University College London (UCL), men lose an average of 17 minutes of life with each cigarette, while women lose 22 minutes. This new research highlights the devastating effects of smoking and offers even grimmer statistics than previously thought.

Earlier estimates suggested that each cigarette reduced a smoker's lifespan by 11 minutes. However, these updated findings indicate the toll of smoking may be significantly greater.

Smoking Shortens Healthy Years

The research emphasised that quitting smoking at any age brings immediate and long-term health benefits. "Women in 1996 smoked an average of 13.6 cigarettes per day. Therefore, other things being equal, this would lead to an increase in the estimated loss of life expectancy per cigarette to 20 minutes overall: 17 minutes for men (1110/6.5) and 22 minutes for women ((1111/6.5)*(15.8/13.6))," the study stated.

“Studies suggest that smokers typically lose about the same number of healthy years as they do total years of life. Thus smoking primarily eats into the relatively healthy middle years rather than shortening the period at the end of life, which is often marked by chronic illness or disability," the study authors said. To understand this better, the authors explained that a 60-year-old smoker will typically have the health profile of a 70-year-old non-smoker. 

“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. That's 10 years of precious time, life moments, and milestones with loved ones," Dr Sarah Jackson, a principal research fellow at UCL was quoted as saying by the Guardian.

Urgency To Quit Smoking

The authors emphasised the urgency to quit smoking. "A person smoking 10 cigarettes per day who quits smoking on the 1 January 2025 could prevent loss of a full day of life by the 8th of January, a week of life by the 20th of February, and a month by the 5th of August." 

In India, 28.6% population currently consume tobacco either in smoke or smokeless form, including 42.4% of men and 14.2% of women, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS). The northeastern states of India have a higher share of female population identified than any other Indian state. Mizoram recorded the highest share of female smokers. 

Effects of Smoking on Women