Experts are urging smokers to quit as new research highlights the significant loss of life expectancy caused by regular smoking.
By now, most people are aware of the severe health risks associated with smoking tobacco. However, a recent study has provided an updated insight into how much the habit shortens one’s life.
Dr. Sarah Jackson, a principal research fellow at UCL’s alcohol and tobacco research group, discussed the findings of the study and the harmful effects of smoking. She commented: “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.”
Researchers at University College London discovered that, on average, each cigarette takes about 20 minutes off a person’s life. This means that a typical pack of 20 cigarettes can reduce a person’s life by almost seven hours.
The study, commissioned by the Department of Health, is based on the latest data from the British Doctors Study and was published in the Journal of Addiction.
Over time, this adds up and can lead to a range of health problems in addition to a reduced life expectancy.
