1 Cigarette = 20 Minutes Of Your Life, Says Study
London, UK: Smokers who decide to quit on 1 January could potentially save an entire day of their life by 8 January, new research reveals. The study, conducted by University College London (UCL) and commissioned by the Department for Health and Social Care, highlights the severe impact of smoking on life expectancy. On average, each cigarette smoked reduces a person’s life by around 20 minutes. This means that an individual smoking a pack of 20 cigarettes loses nearly seven hours of life. The study also concluded that men lose 17 minutes with each cigarette they smoke, while women lose 22 minutes.
The research serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of smoking and the urgent need to quit. It also demonstrates the significant health benefits of stopping smoking, with the study suggesting that if a smoker quits on New Year’s Day, they could gain back a week of their life by 20 February. By the end of the year, they could have potentially avoided losing 50 days due to the harmful effects of smoking.
UK Public Health Minister Andrew Gwynne stressed the importance of quitting, particularly as many people look ahead to New Year’s resolutions. He remarked that smoking is both an expensive and deadly habit, urging smokers to use the new year as an opportunity to make a fresh start. For those who are considering quitting, the NHS offers a range of tools to help, such as the NHS Quit Smoking app and the Personal Quit Plan, which tailors support to each individual’s needs.
The research follows the recent passing of the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which aims to create the first smoke-free generation in the UK. The bill includes measures to phase out the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after 1 January 2009 and is part of the government’s broader 10 Year Health Plan, focusing on prevention rather than treatment.
Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, emphasised that smoking’s consequences go beyond life expectancy, pointing out the immediate damage it causes to the lungs and heart. She noted that stopping smoking is one of the most significant actions an individual can take to improve both their current and future health.
Research also suggests that quitting smoking brings immediate benefits. Just 72 hours after quitting, breathing becomes easier, and energy levels increase. After 12 weeks, circulation improves, and by the end of the first year, the risk of heart attack is halved compared to a smoker.
According to new research from Censuswide, more than half (53%) of smokers plan to quit as part of their New Year’s resolutions in 2025. Smoking remains the number one preventable cause of death and disease in the UK, causing around 80,000 deaths each year. It is responsible for one-quarter of all cancer deaths in England and claims the lives of up to two-thirds of long-term smokers.
Sarah Jackson, Principal Research Fellow at UCL’s Alcohol and Tobacco Research Group, highlighted the importance of understanding the extent of smoking’s harm and the life-saving benefits of quitting. She stated that smokers lose around 20 minutes per cigarette on average, and the sooner someone quits, the longer they will live.
One ex-smoker, Kamran, shared his personal story of quitting smoking with support from his local stop smoking service. After struggling to quit multiple times on his own, he found success with professional help and now feels healthier and more active, especially in his role as a father.
The government has committed additional funding to help people quit, with £70 million allocated for stop smoking services in England for 2025/26. The NHS is also rolling out a new treatment, Varenicline, to support individuals in quitting smoking. Professor Sanjay Agrawal, NHS England’s national specialty advisor for tobacco dependency, noted that smoking rates have dropped significantly in recent decades, but continued efforts are necessary to tackle this ongoing public health issue.
In addition to efforts to support smokers in quitting, the government is introducing further measures to protect children and young people from smoking and second-hand smoke exposure. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill includes proposals to extend the indoor smoking ban to certain outdoor areas, such as playgrounds and areas around schools and hospitals. It also includes plans to limit vape advertising and restrict the availability of disposable vapes.
