Life Expectancy Calculator for Smokers
Life Expectancy for Smokers: Everything You Need to Know
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Overall Life Expectancy Reduction | At least 10 years shorter than for nonsmokers |
| Heavy Smokers (>20 cigarettes/day) | Life expectancy reduced by 13 years on average |
| Moderate Smokers (<20 cigarettes/day) | Life expectancy reduced by about 9 years |
| Light (Intermittent) Smokers | Life expectancy reduced by about 5 years |
| Gender Differences | Men: 8 years reduction; Women: 10 years reduction (in some studies) |
| Survival to Age 70 (Men born 1920-1945) | 72% of smokers vs. 72% of non-smokers surviving to age 78 |
| Survival to Age 70 (Women born 1920-1945) | 79% of smokers vs. 79% of non-smokers surviving to age 80 |
| Death Before Age 65 (Heavy Smokers) | 23% of heavy smokers die before 65 vs. 7% of non-smokers |
| Impact of Quitting Before Age 40 | Can avoid almost all excess risk of death from smoking |
| Impact of Quitting Before Age 45 | Can avoid about 90% of excess risk of death from smoking |
| Life Expectancy at Age 40 (Men) | Smokers: 38.5 years; Ex-smokers: 40.8 years; Never-smokers: 42.4 years |
| Life Expectancy at Age 40 (Women) | Smokers: 42.4 years; Ex-smokers: 42.1 years; Never-smokers: 46.1 years |
| Benefit of Quitting (Men) | Quitting before 40: +4.8 years; before 50: +3.7 years; before 60: +1.6 years; before 70: +0.5 years |
| Age at Which Half the Population Dies | Smokers die about 4 years earlier than never-smokers |
| Main Causes of Premature Death | Cancer (especially lung cancer), cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases |
| Proportion of Deaths Before 80 Due to Smoking | About 4 out of 10 deaths before age 80 are linked to tobacco use |
| Impact on Disability-Free Life | Smoking not only reduces life expectancy but also increases years lived with disability |
| Variation by Study and Population | Some studies show smaller reductions (4-7 years) in life expectancy |
Key Takeaways:
- Smoking significantly reduces life expectancy, with heavier smokers experiencing greater reductions.
- Quitting smoking, especially at younger ages, can recover much of the lost life expectancy.
- Smoking affects both length and quality of life, increasing years lived with disability.
- The impact of smoking on life expectancy can vary based on factors such as gender and the specific population studied.
- Smoking-related deaths are primarily due to cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory diseases.
This table provides a comprehensive overview of how smoking impacts life expectancy, based on various studies and populations. It’s important to note that individual results may vary, and these figures represent average outcomes across large populations.