Smokers who chose to quit on New Year Day can add a week to their lifespan by February 20, 2025, (assuming they smoked 10 cigarettes a day), and by the end of the year, they could have avoided losing 50 days of life, according to new research from University College London (UCL) published on December 30, 2024.
Smokers who choose to quit on January 1, 2025, could add one day to their life by January 8, 2025 (assuming they smoked 10 cigarettes a day), the research also noted.
The research commissioned by the Department for Health and Social Care shows smoking is more harmful than previously thought, with every cigarette stealing on average approximately 20 minutes of life from smokers.
This equates to nearly seven hours of life lost when smoking an average pack of 20 cigarettes. If a smoker quits on New Year’s Day, by February 20 they could get a week of their life back, and by the end of the year, they could have avoided losing 50 days of life.
The UK’s Public Health Minister, Andrew Gwynne, said, “Smoking is an expensive and deadly habit, and these findings reveal the shocking reality of this addiction, highlighting how important it is to quit.
“The new year offers a perfect chance for smokers to make a new resolution and take that step. For anyone looking to quit in 2025, the NHS provides a range of services to help break free from the habit.”
Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said, “Smoking has an immediate impact on your lung and heart’s health as well as significantly increasing your chance of getting a chronic illness or disability and of dying young.
“Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do to improve your current and future health. This new year, start afresh and leave smoking in the past.”
