Quit smoking on New Year’s Day, regain 50 days of life, researchers tell smokers

A study conducted by University College London (UCL) has revealed that smokers who decide to quit on New Year’s Day could save an entire day of their lives by January 8.

The research, commissioned by the UK’s Department for Health and Social Care, highlights that each cigarette smoked reduces life expectancy by approximately 20 minutes, amounting to nearly seven hours lost per pack of 20 cigarettes. By quitting on New Year’s Day, smokers could reclaim a week of life by February 20 and avoid losing up to 50 days of life by year’s end.

The research coincides with the introduction of the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which recently passed its Second Reading in the House of Commons. The findings underscore the severe harm caused by smoking, previously underestimated.

Public Health Minister Andrew Gwynne described smoking as “an expensive and deadly habit” and stressed the importance of quitting.

He encouraged smokers to use the new year as an opportunity to resolve to quit, assuring government support for those seeking to stop smoking.

He also stressed the government’s commitment to protecting children and young people from nicotine addiction through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

Dr. Jeanelle de Gruchy, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, noted that smoking has immediate detrimental effects on lung and heart health, significantly increasing the risk of chronic illnesses, disabilities, and premature death.

She stressed that quitting is one of the best actions individuals can take to improve both current and future health.

“Separately, new research by Censuswide shows that over half (53%) of smokers are planning to quit as a New Year’s resolution in 2025,” Dr. de Gruchy said. “Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death, disability, and ill health in the UK, responsible for around 80,000 deaths annually and one in four cancer deaths in England. It kills up to two-thirds of its long-term users.”

Dr. de Gruchy added that within just 72 hours of quitting, breathing becomes easier, and energy levels increase. Improved blood circulation is evident after 12 weeks, and within a year, the risk of heart attack is halved compared to that of a smoker.

Sarah Jackson, Principal Research Fellow at UCL’s Alcohol and Tobacco Research Group, encouraged smokers to embrace change. “It’s never too late to make a positive change for your health, and there are a range of effective products and treatments that can help smokers quit for good,” she said.

Ex-smoker Kamran shared his experience, having started smoking in university and struggled to quit multiple times. With the support of his local stop smoking service, he successfully quit smoking as a 2024 New Year’s resolution.

Kamran said, “It wasn’t until I quit smoking that I realised how much it had affected my health; I often felt short of breath and couldn’t keep up with my children. Quitting can be challenging, but keeping busy and using stop-smoking products helped me get through it. Now, I feel less stressed, more active with my family, and proud of taking control.”