Summary
- Dr. Kenny Lin, a family physician, discusses the risks of smoking and the importance of quitting.
- Despite a decrease in the percentage of adult smokers, the annual death toll from smoking-related conditions remains high.
- A national survey found that two-thirds of adult smokers in the US want to quit, but less than 9% succeed.
- Research shows that quitting smoking before age 50 can significantly reduce the risk of early mortality.
- Quitting at various ages can result in significant gains in life expectancy, highlighting that it’s never too late to quit smoking.
New research shows that quitting smoking can add years to your life, no matter how old you are. A study found that smokers who quit before age 50 can almost completely reverse the risk of dying early from smoking-related diseases. Even quitting later in life can still add years to your life compared to continuing to smoke.
The study looked at data from multiple countries and found that quitting smoking at different ages can lead to significant life gains. For example, quitting at age 35 can add an average of 8 years to your life, while quitting at age 65 can still add 1.7 years.
So, if you’re a smoker thinking it’s too late to quit, think again. The benefits of quitting smoking can start right away and continue for years to come. It’s never too late to make a positive change for your health.
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Family Medicine, Public Health & Prevention