Do ex smokers live longer than non-smokers?

Asked by: Prof. Elta Luettgen DVM  |  Last update: July 20, 2023
Score: 4.4/5 (55 votes)

In both sexes, the age by which half of the current smokers had died was approximately 4 years younger than that for never-smokers. The life expectancies of male ex-smokers who quit smoking

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Current evidence-based treatment approaches to smoking cessation include several behavioral treatments—such as individual, group, and telephone counseling—and seven pharmacotherapies approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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before ages 40, 50, 60, and 70 years were 4.8, 3.7, 1.6, and 0.5 years longer than those of smokers, respectively.

How much longer do non-smokers live than smokers?

Cigarette smoking causes premature death: Life expectancy for smokers is at least 10 years shorter than for nonsmokers.

Can you live longer if you don't smoke?

June 23, 2004 -- Quit smoking: You'll live longer -- maybe 10 years or more. Quit before age 35, and you can avoid early death almost entirely.

Why do some smokers live longer than others?

That's because a very few people are physiologically less susceptible to the arterial aging and carcinogenic effects of cigarette smoke than the rest of us. These people have higher levels of specific enzymes that activate the carcinogens contained in smoke.

Can ex smokers live a long life?

Male ex-smokers who quit before age 40 years had a slightly longer life expectancy (43.3 years, 95% CI: 42.6 and 43.9) than that of never-smokers. Male ex-smokers who quit smoking at younger age had a longer life expectancy than that of ex-smokers who quit at older age.

How I quit smoking: David’s story | Ohio State Medical Center

30 related questions found

What age is too late to stop smoking?

It's never too late to get benefits from quitting smoking. Quitting, even in later life, can significantly lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer over time and reduce your risk of death.

Who is the oldest living smoker?

All things considered, Jose Aguinelo dos Santos is a pretty lively Brazilian man. He walks without a stick, has no known health problems, smokes a pack of cigarettes a day, and is still a childless bachelor, according to reports. Oh, and he might be 126 years old—the world's oldest living person.

Is it worth quitting smoking after 10 years?

10 years after quitting

Your risk of lung cancer is about half that of a person who is still smoking (after 10 to 15 years). Your risk of cancer of the bladder, esophagus, and kidney decreases.

Is smoking once a week OK?

No. Even one cigarette a week is bad for your health. Each cigarette you smoke exposes you to nicotine and other harmful chemicals and increases your risk for heart disease and cancer. The negative effects of smoking add up over the course of your life.

How long do most smokers live?

Researchers at 'Action on Smoking and Health' have reported that a 30-year-old smoker can expect to live about 35 more years, whereas a 30-year-old non-smoker can expect to live 53 more years.

Can you repair lung damage from smoking?

While there's no way to reverse scarring or lung damage that years of smoking can cause, there are things you can do to prevent further damage and improve your lung health.

Can lungs heal after 40 years of smoking?

That said, stopping smoking after 40 years is better than continuing to smoke for 45 or 50 years. It's never too late to quit and while your lungs may never heal completely, they will begin to get better once you stop smoking, even if you've been smoking your whole life.

Is it too late to quit smoking after 30?

Are there still health benefits of quitting smoking after decades of being a regular smoker? ANSWER: Your husband will definitely reap significant benefits if he quits smoking — even after 30 years. The health advantages he'll enjoy as a nonsmoker will start accumulating almost immediately after he stops smoking.

Can lungs heal after 30 years of smoking?

After 30 years of smoking, the lungs will likely have irreversible damage and the risk of all types of disease is drastically increased, including lung cancer, COPD, and heart disease. While the lungs may never return to normal, it is still worth quitting smoking even after 30 or more years.

How many cigarettes a day is heavy smoking?

Background: Heavy smokers (those who smoke greater than or equal to 25 or more cigarettes a day) are a subgroup who place themselves and others at risk for harmful health consequences and also are those least likely to achieve cessation.

What country has the most smokers?

China has the most tobacco users (300.8 million), followed by India (274.9 million). China has the most smokers (300.7 million), while India has the most smokeless tobacco users (205.9 million). Russia faces a looming crisis. Russia has the highest smoking rate among men (60.2 percent).

Do all smokers get emphysema?

Doctors don't know why some smokers get emphysema and others don't. There is no cure for emphysema, but if you're a smoker with the disease, kicking the habit might help slow down the damage it does to your lungs. AAT deficiency: Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a natural protein that circulates in human blood.

Which is worse alcohol or smoking?

While drinking can be a threat to your health, smoking is certainly worse. Unlike alcohol at low or moderate levels, there is no benefit to tobacco use at any level. When you smoke, you inhale various chemicals that can injure cells, causing both cancer and artery damage (e.g. heart attacks and strokes).

Are smokers happier than non smokers?

Dr Lang and colleagues used a measure of quality of life called the CASP-19 and found that smokers experienced lower average levels of pleasure and life satisfaction compared with non-smokers.

Why do some smokers have healthy lungs?

The mystery of why some people appear to have healthy lungs despite a lifetime of smoking has been explained by UK scientists. The analysis of more than 50,000 people showed favourable mutations in people's DNA enhanced lung function and masked the deadly impact of smoking.

Will facial skin improve after quitting smoking?

While wrinkles that have developed may not disappear entirely, you will see an improvement in bad skin after quitting smoking after a short amount of time. In fact, your skin will begin to improve after a matter of days as collagen and elastin renew themselves.

Does COPD get worse even if you quit smoking?

It can improve your breathing, reduce coughing and chest tightness, and bring down inflammation. Quitting smoking can actually alter the progression of COPD. Quitting smoking is a huge challenge. It can be especially difficult for someone with COPD.

Is it worth quitting smoking after 50 years?

Quitting Reduces Health Risks in Older Smokers

Smokers—especially those over 50—are more likely to feel tired, have shortness of breath, and experience a persistent cough. 3 These symptoms often signal the onset of COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Why is breathing worse after quitting smoking?

Yes it takes a few months for breathing to get better and many people feel a little worse the first month or two. This is primarily because you are starting to clear a lot of gunk from your lungs also the nicotine withdrawal is probably making you a little more sensitive to your body.