New Study Finds Each Cigarette Reduces Life by 20 Minutes

Research shows updated estimates of smoking's impact on life expectancy, emphasizing the benefits of quitting at any age.

A University College London study estimates that a single cigarette shortens life expectancy by an average of 20 minutes, up from the 11-minute estimate in 2000.
The research analyzed data from multiple large-scale studies, including the British Doctors Study and the Million Women Study, to update previous findings.
Smoking primarily reduces relatively healthy middle years of life, with lifelong smokers losing an average of 10 to 11 years compared to non-smokers.
Quitting smoking at any age improves life expectancy, though earlier cessation yields the most significant benefits, according to researchers.
Smoking rates have declined over the past two decades, but it remains a leading cause of preventable disease and premature death globally.