Every year 127,000 people die in Germany as a result of tobacco consumption. This is reported by the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG). In total, around 1,000 people smoke in Germany
- 20.1 percent men and women aged 18 and over.
- 6.8 percent are among 12 to 17 year olds.
The good thing about it: Overall, the number of smokers has been declining for several years, says the BMG.
Cardiovascular diseases, cancer – the health consequences of smoking
That’s good, because smoking is not only expensive, but also massively damaging to your health. Not just the lungs. Among other things, it promotes cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, and increases the risk of many types of cancer – especially lung cancer, cancer of the mouth and throat. Anyone who smokes shortens their life expectancy.
This is how much life smokers lose compared to non-smokers
That’s why it’s worth stopping at any time. Because if you stop doing this, you will increase your life expectancy again. A new study from the University of Michigan has now found out how many years of life people at different ages from 35 to 75 years lose through smoking and how many years of life they gain by quitting smoking. She was in the “ American Journal of Preventive Medicine r” published.
“To our knowledge, no research has documented the benefits of quitting smoking […] proven,” explains Thuy TT Le, one of the study authors in a Press release . “We wanted to show that quitting smoking is beneficial at any age and provide older smokers with an incentive to quit.”
Based on their data analyzes and statistical calculations, the scientists initially determined that this is how much life time people in certain age groups lose on average due to smoking compared to people who don’t smoke.
- A 35-year-old smoker loses 9.1 years.
- A 45-year-old smoker loses 8.3 years.
- A 55-year-old smoker loses 7.3 years.
- A 65-year-old smoker loses 5.9 years.
- A 75-year-old smoker loses 4.4 years of life.
This is how much life people gain when they stop smoking
But those who quit gain a lot of life compared to those who continue smoking:
- A 35 year old gains an average of 8 years.
- A 45-year-old gains an average of 5.6 years.
- A 55-year-old gains an average of 3.4 years.
- A 65-year-old gains an average of 1.7 years.
- A 75-year-old gains an average of 0.7 years.
The scientists conclude that quitting smoking is the best thing people can do to increase their life expectancy. Even if this gain in lifespan no longer seems to be particularly high for older people such as 75-year-olds at just over eight months.
Up to ten percent of older people gain significantly more life by stopping smoking
However, the study also showed that
of people who quit smoking by age 65 actually live at least 8 years longer compared to those who don’t.
Beyond that, win
of people who quit at age 75 compared to those who continue smoking for at least even 4 years.
“The benefits of smoking cessation are not limited to young and middle-aged smokers; This study shows that it is also applicable to seniors,” the statement continues.
Tips for quitting smoking
If you know exactly why you want to stop smoking, you will be more motivated. The Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) therefore advises: keep reminding yourself of your personal reasons for quitting smoking and, ideally, write them down.
But even the strongest why doesn’t protect against the fact that quitting smoking can be a challenge. These four A tips from the BZgA will help:
- Procrastination: Even if it doesn’t feel like it, the craving for a cigarette usually subsides, often after 30 seconds to three minutes. A tactic to let time pass: breathe deeply in and out ten times.
- Dodge: “Do you want one too?”: A small gesture during a break at work can throw off your plan to quit smoking. It is therefore helpful to proactively avoid situations like these, advises the BZgA. If you still want to take part in the smoking breaks, you can be open about your own smoking cessation and ask not to be offered a cigarette.
- Quitting: What if you find it hard to bear to be around smokers? Then the BZgA advises to withdraw for a moment.
- Distract: Small, pleasant activities distract from the desire for a cigarette. For example, write a message to a dear friend or take a quick shower at home, as the BZgA suggests. If you have chewing gum or healthy snacks like nuts at hand, you’re keeping your mouth busy – that’s another distraction.
