What do electronic cigarettes do to your body?/AP, Reuters, Getty Images, Shutterstock
It's never too late to quit smoking.
Researchers have found in a study that quitting smoking before the age of 40 can lead to a life expectancy similar to that of non-smokers.
The study further reveals that people who quit smoking, regardless of age, can achieve a life expectancy similar to non-smokers within about 10 years after quitting, and almost half of this advantage can be discerned in just three years.
These findings, published in the journal NEJM Evidence, were based on a large-scale study conducted by researchers from the University of Toronto.
The study involved around 1.5 million adults from the US, UK, Canada and Norway who were followed for 15 years.
Estimates show that there are about 60 million smokers in the four countries involved in the study, and more than a billion smokers worldwide. Although the global smoking rate has decreased by more than 25 percent since 1990, tobacco remains a leading cause of preventable death.
Smoking cigarettes/ShutterStock, By vchal
"Smokers between the ages of 40 and 79 had nearly three times the risk of dying compared to those who had never smoked, meaning they lost an average of 12 to 13 years of life. Ex-smokers had a 30 percent lower risk of death compared to non-smokers. Quitting smoking at any age was associated for longer survival, and even those who stopped for less than three years gained up to six years in life expectancy," said the press release.
The researchers noted that quitting smoking at any age, especially at a younger age, reduces the excess risk of overall mortality and the risk of death from vascular diseases, respiratory tracts and conditions that cause tumor growth.
"Quitting smoking is unambiguously effective in reducing the risk of death, and people can reap these rewards very quickly," said study author Parvat Jha.
"Many people think it's too late to quit smoking, especially in middle age. But these results contradict that line of thought. It's never too late, the effect is fast and the risk of major diseases can be reduced, meaning a longer and better quality of life," he added.
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