Experts reveal how many minutes of life a smoker loses with each cigarette

Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Every cigarette smoked costs precious minutes of life, and the cumulative impact is devastating, not only for individuals but also for our healthcare system and economy Professor Sanjay Agrawal By 20 February, their lives could be extended by a whole week. “So a 60-year-old smoker will typically have the health profile of a 70-year-old non-smoker.” The analysis, which will be published in the Journal of Addiction, states the average of 20 minutes of life expectancy lost for each cigarette “is time that would likely be spent in relatively good health”. It adds: “Stopping smoking at every age is beneficial but the sooner smokers get off this escalator of death, the longer and healthier they can expect their lives to be.” Dr Sarah Jackson, principal research fellow from the UCL Alcohol and Tobacco Research Group, said: “It is vital that people understand just how harmful smoking is and how much quitting can improve their health and life expectancy.” The new year offers a perfect chance for smokers to make a new resolution and take that step Andrew Gwynne, public health minister She added: “The sooner a person stops smoking, the longer they live. “The new year offers a perfect chance for smokers to make a new resolution and take that step.” Professor Sanjay Agrawal, special adviser on tobacco at the Royal College of Physicians, added: “Every cigarette smoked costs precious minutes of life, and the cumulative impact is devastating, not only for individuals but also for our healthcare system and economy.