Web Desk
A recent study has revealed that each cigarette smoked reduces a smoker’s life expectancy by approximately 20 minutes on average.
Researchers from University College London analyzed the impact of smoking while accounting for social, economic, and other factors. They estimated that each cigarette reduces a man’s life expectancy by 17 minutes and a woman’s by 22 minutes.
The findings, published in the journal Addiction, underscore the cumulative toll of smoking on longevity. According to lead author and principal research fellow Dr. Sarah Jackson, smoking a pack of 20 cigarettes daily could potentially reduce a smoker’s life by around seven hours per day.
“This lost time is not just a numerical reduction in lifespan—it represents precious moments that could have been spent in good health with loved ones,” said Dr. Jackson.
She emphasized that smoking affects health across the entire lifespan rather than merely impacting the final stages of life.
The study was initiated by the UK Department of Health and Social Care and utilized data from the British Doctors Study and the Million Women Study.
The research concluded that lifelong smokers lose an average of 10 years of life compared to non-smokers, highlighting the profound impact of smoking on both quality and quantity of life.
