New studies show that every cigarette smoked takes 20 minutes off your life span.
Credit: Tumisu @ Pixabay
Smokers who choose to quit on the 1 January could save a whole day of their life by 8 January, according to new research.
New research from University College London (UCL), published today suggests smoking is more harmful than previously thought, with every cigarette stealing on average approximately 20 minutes of life from smokers.
This means that every pack of cigarettes smoked equates to seven lost hours of life.
It’s a sobering thought.
However, there is hope for those who decide to leave cigarettes behind in 2024.
UCL say if a smoker quits on New Year’s Day, by 20 February, they could actually earn an additional week of life back that they would have lost otherwise through smoking.
If cigarettes can be resisted for the whole of the new year, by the end of 2025 (ex) smokers will gain an incredible 50 extra days of life that otherwise they would have lost.
Landmark UK Anti-Tobacco Bill
This motivating new research follows the introduction of the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill recently passed in the UK. The aim of the bill is to create the first smoke-free generation, and to protect young people from ever becoming hooked on nicotine.
The bill includes plans to phase out the sale of tobacco products in the UK to anyone born after 1 January 2009.
The Bill is linked to the government’s 10 Year Health Plan, ‘to move from sickness to prevention’.
More facts to motivate smokers to quit
The new campaign to encourage smokers to quit is backed up by more health facts to put the damage each cigarette causes into perspective. For example:
Smoking is the number one cause of death, disability and ill health in the UK
If you stop smoking on January 1st, your risk of heart attack will have halved by the end of 2025 compared to a smoker.
Just 72 hours after quitting, your breathing will feel easier, and your energy will increase.
Advice and support for stopping smoking
It’s never too late to make a positive change for your health and today there’s a wide range of products and treatments to help smokers quit for good.
One such treatment, a pill called Varenicline, has recently been rolled out by the NHS and could help tens of thousands of people give up cigarettes.
Research conducted by Censuswide also shows more than half (53%) of smokers are planning on quitting smoking as a new year’s resolution in 2025. Forming a support group of other friends or colleagues who want to quit can help you stay strong and smoke-free.
Going ‘cold turkey’ when quitting can be daunting but quitting is easier when you have a plan and the right support. Remember, you don’t have to go it alone.
