Researchers from the University College London have used the latest British data to estimate the average reduction in life expectancy for every cigarette smoked. Published in the journal Addiction, the analysis estimated that the average loss of life per cigarette smoked is approximately 20 minutes - 17 minutes for men and 22 minutes for women. The authors emphasise that people must stop smoking completely, rather than cut back, to gain the maximum benefits to their health and life expectancy. They concluded that “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.”
Most people who smoke know that it is bad for their health, but they may not make the connection between smoking and how long they might live. Hearing that every cigarette smoked is estimated to take 20 minutes off a person’s life may boost motivation to make a quit attempt. It may also be helpful throughout the quitting journey, e.g. if a person does not act on a craving and resists a cigarette, they can frame it as keeping those 20 minutes of life.
Health professionals should encourage smoking cessation with their patients at every opportunity, including providing information about the important benefits of quitting for their health and life expectancy.
Health professionals can provide smoking cessation care to their patients using the Brief advice model for smoking cessation (Ask, Advise, Help) on the Quit Centre Website.