For years, the number of young smokers has fallen - a pleasing development. But at the same time there are more and more older people who are stuck with the cigarette: For men, the proportion of smokers in the age group of 55- to 74-year-olds between 2009 and 2017 has grown by almost nine percent to almost a quarter, for women even by almost 80 percent to 18.3 percent.
Reason for the increase of older smokers is simply the demographic development: "The increased smoker proportions in the older age groups are to be explained particularly by the fact that the smokers of the middle move into higher age groups," says Ute Mons, head of the staff department cancer prevention at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg. Because at an older age hardly anyone starts smoking again. The large increase in women is due to the fact that before the 1960s, 1970s women only very rarely resorted to the stink of misery, explains Mons.
Lung cancer risk halved after 10 years
Sometimes smokers think in the 50s or 60s, it does not matter anyway and quitting is no longer worthwhile. But that's a mistake, says Mons. Only shortness of breath, cough and poor performance improved after days and a few weeks. And the risks for long-term health consequences could also be significantly reduced.
Even with serious illnesses, it does not take long for positive effects to show itself, says Mons: "If a 60-year-old bans the tipping out of his life, his stroke and heart attack risk will be significantly lower within five to ten years." After 20 years, his risk of getting such cardiovascular disease is the same as that of a non-smoker. Also with regard to cancer, a late abstinence helps: 10 to 20 years after the last dose, the risk of cancer drops significantly, the health scientist explains, the lung cancer risk is halved within 10 years.
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The lung specialist Robert Loddenkemper is also of the opinion that quitting is worthwhile even in old age: "It is never too late to stop." Measurements of exhalation had already shown in 1977 that abstinence, even at the age of 65, could delay death and disability by around five years. With a cessation of smoking at 45 years, the postponement is about ten years.
Strong addictive substance - psychic dependence
Also from the cardiological side, saying goodbye to the smoke is advisable. A smoking cessation after bypass surgery, which is usually performed on elderly patients, extends the life expectancy by three years, says Helmut Gohlke from the Board of the German Heart Foundation. "The effect of stopping is greater than the intervention."
Since nicotine is a very powerful narcotic drug, the cessation of long-term smokers is very difficult. Withdrawal is associated with irritability, sweats and bad sleep - symptoms that are over after one to two weeks, says Mons.
Problem tobacco advertising
On the other hand, mental problems make more problems. The smoking is associated with certain everyday situations such as the cigarette for coffee or while waiting for the bus, so you constantly get into seduction. Apples or chewing gum as a substitute could help. Mons advises weaning courses. Their provider and family doctors would have to interlock but better.
The renunciation of the Glimmstängel is not made easy for the smokers in this country, according to Mons. "Germany is the only country in the EU that still allows cinema and outdoor advertising as well as the distribution of cigarettes at events."
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The most promising way to reduce or eliminate the smoke leads, according to their conviction on the purse. The levy for the consumer would - after the last significant tobacco tax increase in 2005 - again become more painful. At that time, the number of smokers had greatly reduced and young people had not even come up with ideas. Mons argues for a further significant price increase: "A tax increase of ten percent brings a decrease in consumption by five percent."