On October 15th, Public Health France released new figures regarding the situation of smoking in France: good news, this report confirmed that the number of smokers has significantly decreased over the past ten years, with 4 million fewer smokers. For economic or health reasons, the French seem to be turning away from cigarettes. In 2024, scientists from the University of Toronto delved into the question to find out what impact the age of quitting smoking has on mortality for a daily smoker. And the results are… surprising!
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Can you reduce the risk of mortality after being a smoker?
Titled « Smoking Cessation and Short- and Long-term Mortality », this study published in 2024 in the scientific journal NEJM Evidence highlighted the reduction in mortality risk thanks to quitting smoking. The researchers notably demonstrated that health benefits are significant and evident three years after quitting.
Even more striking, scientists identified a “cut-off age” that allows smokers to r&eacut .cute; significantly reduce their mortality risk: “ Quitting at any age is associated with a longer life, particularly when the cessation occurs before the age of 40.” According to the collected data, 82% of men aged 40 who quit smoking before 40 will still be alive at 80, compared to 83% of those who have never smoked and 59% of regular smokers. For women, these figures rise to 87%, 87%, and 67%, respectively. This proves that quitting smoking before 40 can lead to a life expectancy similar to that of non-smokers.
A reduced mortality risk, but not necessarily good health
Every year, smoking causes between 5 and 7 million deaths worldwide. To establish these results, scientists followed 1.48 million people in the study.e;United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Norway for fifteen years. However, the study should be nuanced: while quitting smoking early can impact lifespan, the consequences of smoking on overall health are not to be overlooked.
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« The damages caused by smoking are numerous and serious, especially in terms of respiratory diseases like COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, editor's note], which significantly impacts the quality of life for individuals », emphasizes Dr. Frédéric Le Guillou, a pulmonologist and president of Respiratory Health France. There's no doubt: the sooner, the better!