ISLAMABAD, NOV 02 (Online): Smoking cigarettes is a habit that is harmful to health. Despite its dangers, it still remains a popular activity. <\/p>\n
Hence, researchers are constantly working to understand the full health impact of smoking.<\/p>\n
A recent studyTrusted Source published in JAMATrusted Source found that quitting smoking is associated with reduced mortality risk. The sooner people stop, the more benefit they are likely to see, the researchers found.<\/p>\n
The study adds to a growing body of evidence about the impact of smoking
\nand the benefits of quitting.<\/p>\n
The health risks of smoking
\nIn 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Trusted Source estimated that 12.5% of the United States population was currently smoking cigarettes. The CDCTrusted Source also notes that \u201cCigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smoking causes damage to the body and increases people\u2019s risk for many health problems. For example, smoking cigarettes is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease. These risks are related to the damage smoking causes to blood vessels and the lungs.<\/p>\n
Dr. Mary Martinasek, associate professor in public health at the University of Tampa, and member of the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), who was not involved in the study, told Medical News Today:<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause smoking cigarettes has been studied for over five decades, we know a lot about the effects of the multitude of chemicals in cigarette smoke and the hazards associated with inhaling them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the United States, smoking causes 87% of lung cancer deaths, 32% of coronary heart disease deaths, and 79% of all cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 Dr. Mary Martinasek
\nDr. Pushan Jani, UTHealth pulmonologist affiliated with Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, who was also not involved in the study, further noted:<\/p>\n
\u201cSmoking harms almost every organ in the body. Most importantly, it causes one in every four deaths secondary to cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks, and stroke) [which equals to about 800,000 deaths per year].\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt causes 160,000 deaths secondary to lung cancer every year. It causes a lung disease called COPD, which is prevalent in 16 million U.S. adults and is the third biggest cause of death in the [U.S.],\u201d he added.
\nResearch is ongoing about the health risks of smoking and the benefits of quitting.<\/p>\n
What ages show the most benefit?
\nThis prospective cohort study looked at smoking and smoking cessation and the associated mortality risks. Researchers used information available from the U.S. National Health Interview Survey in their data collection.<\/p>\n
The researchers specifically looked at how these risks differed based on race, ethnicity, and sex. They included over 500,000 U.S. adults in their research.<\/p>\n
The researchers particularly noted smoking status: current smoker, former smoker, or never smoker. They also looked at when people quit and for how many years they had quit smoking.<\/p>\n
The main finding was that smoking was associated with a double or more mortality rate across all groups. However, quitting smoking was associated with reduced mortality risk. This reduction was particularly pronounced based on the age someone stopped.<\/p>\n
The study authors note that \u201cquitting smoking before age 45 years was associated with reductions of approximately 90% of the excess mortality risk associated with continued smoking, and quitting at ages 45 to 64 years was associated with reductions of approximately 66% of this excess risk, irrespective of race and ethnicity.\u201d<\/p>\n
In other words, the sooner people quit, the better the results.
\nStudy author Dr. Blake Thomson highlighted this critical takeaway from the study:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe key point is that smoking is extremely harmful to human health, but critically, quitting smoking really works. The younger smokers quit, and the more time accrues since they quit, the greater the health benefits.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we observed in this study, those who quit before [age 35] avoided almost all of the excess mortality risk associated with continued smoking. The benefits of quitting, even at older ages, are tremendous. It\u2019s never too late to quit, but the earlier, the better.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 Dr. Blake Thomson
\nStudy limitations
\nThis study included many participants, adding to a diverse and large amount of data collection. However, it did have limitations that are important to take into account.<\/p>\n
First, the data on smoking habits was self-reported, and from a single point in time, so it doesn\u2019t account for components like people who quit later or who started smoking.<\/p>\n
The researchers divided participants into four main racial groups. Still, they note that there were likely many differences within these four groups.<\/p>\n
They also noted that the people who quit may have been more likely to have a disease or be at an increased risk for death. Therefore, the data may actually underestimate how quitting smoking can help those who are currently healthy.<\/p>\n
Finally, there is the risk of confounding, and researchers did not look at geographically-related factors.<\/p>\n
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\nQuitting smoking, despite how many times it takes
\nRegardless, the study adds to evidence for the health benefits of quitting smoking. Dr. Thomson noted to MNT that even if people fail at quitting, they should strive to try again.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese findings are important for both those who currently smoke cigarettes and for those who formerly smoked cigarettes. For current smokers, it is essential to take quitting seriously. Even after relapses, keep trying. It is always worth encouraging another attempt and highlighting its benefits,\u201d Dr. Thomson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor former smokers and their healthcare providers, the message is to continue to celebrate that achievement and work to keep it a permanent change. This is important for both individuals who smoke and for their healthcare team to understand,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Dr. Martinasek also reiterated that many resources were available in the U.S. to help people who are ready to quit smoking:<\/p>\n
\u201cMany states offer free quit programs and free resources to quit smoking. Reaching out to a respiratory therapist [RT] can be a good first start. RTs work in local hospitals and healthcare facilities and have the knowledge to assist with quitting smoking.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Martinasek recommended smokefree.gov as well as U.S. states\u2019 own websites and free resources to help support people who are thinking of quitting smoking.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are also free apps that can assist with quitting smoking and provide group support. The only products that are approved for quitting are prescribed medications and over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies. These, coupled with quit coach counseling, can be effective methods for quitting,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD, NOV 02 (Online): Smoking cigarettes is a habit that is harmful to health. Despite its dangers, it still remains a popular activity. Hence, researchers are constantly working to understand the full health impact of smoking. A recent studyTrusted Source published in JAMATrusted Source found […]<\/p>\n
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