Quitting smoking benefits survival at any age

We all know tobacco use is an important cause of cancer and premature death. Although its relationship with premature mortality has been widely studied in middle-aged populations, fewer studies examine smoking’s effects on disease and mortality among older people.

According to research published in November 2016 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, smokers aged 70 or older had three times the mortality risk of never-smokers, while earlier cessation corresponded to a greater reduction in risk.

In the United States, according to 2012 data, people accounting for % 9,3 of the population were aged 70 or older (29,2 million); by 2050 this is expected to reach % 15,9, or 63,6 million. Given high smoking rates, researchers sought to examine benefits of earlier smoking cessation in adults aged 70 and older.

Researchers examined data on people aged 70 or older, more than 160.00 in total. A detailed smoking questionnaire was completed during 2004-2005, and reported deaths were followed through 2011. For people aged 70 or older, analyses conducted during 2014-2016 found mortality associated with starting age, quitting age and smoking amount.

The 2004-2005 questionnaire asked about daily smoking in periods of 9 years. Smokers in their 70s were defined as current smokers, while former smokers were grouped in 10-year categories. Data were also classified by age, sex, education and alcohol use.

At study initiation in 2004-2005, mean age was 75; approximately %56 were former smokers and %6 current smokers. During an average follow-up of 6.4 years, approximately % 16 died. Among never-smokers, % 12,1 died, while former smokers who smoked at ages 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60-69 had mortality rates respectively of %16.2, %19.7, %23.9 and %27.9. Among current smokers, % 33.1 died. Mortality was lower in women than men at every smoking level.

In conclusion, based on these data, smoking cessation has an important role in reducing mortality, particularly in adults aged 70 and older. The findings show that quitting matters at every age, something all smokers should consider.