Smoking cessation

Avoid

2 studies · 1 recommendation

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Smoking cessation – Cardiovascular Disease

Avoid2 studies

Smoking cessation prevents cardiovascular disease and adds up to 10 years of life

A multicohort study across four European countries and a randomized controlled trial from the NELSON study consistently link smoking to cardiovascular disease risk and premature death. Smokers face a 50% probability of dying prematurely from tobacco-related disease, losing an average of 10 years of life compared to non-smokers. The multicohort analysis found individuals with no behavioral risk factors lived 6 years longer free of chronic diseases—including cardiovascular disease—compared to those with two or more risk factors, with smoking independently reducing disease-free years. Cardiovascular disease ranks among the top three smoking-related causes of death globally. Tobacco-related mortality exceeds 5 million deaths annually, projected to reach 8 million by 2030, carrying a US$500 billion economic burden. Quitting eliminates exposure to over 60 confirmed carcinogens that damage nearly every organ system.

Evidence

Smoking, physical inactivity and obesity as predictors of healthy and disease-free life expectancy between ages 50 and 75 : a multicohort study

Authors: Aalto, Ville, Goldberg, Marcel, Hanson, Linda Magnuson, Head, Jenny, Kawachi, Ichiro, Kivimaki, Mika, Stenholm, Sari, Vahtera, Jussi, Westerlund, Hugo, Zaninotto, Paola, Zins, Marie

Published: August 1, 2016

A multicohort study pooling data from four European cohort studies in England, Finland, France, and Sweden examined smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity (BMI >= 30 kg/m²) as predictors of chronic disease-free life expectancy between ages 50 and 75. Chronic diseases tracked included cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease, and diabetes. Men and women with no behaviour-related risk factors could expect to live on average 6 years longer free of chronic diseases compared to those with at least two risk factors. Having any single risk factor, including smoking alone, was independently associated with a reduction in disease-free years. Multistate life table models confirmed consistent results across all four national cohorts with no significant between-cohort differences.

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Smoking, Smoking Cessation, and Lung Cancer Screening in the NELSON Trial

Authors: Aalst, C.M. (Carlijn) van der

Published: October 27, 2011

Cardiovascular disease ranks third among smoking-related causes of death worldwide, after lung cancer and COPD. Smoking is identified as a risk factor for 6 of 8 leading global causes of death. Tobacco smoke consists of numerous chemicals, with more than 60 confirmed or suspected carcinogens, affecting nearly every organ. Lifelong smokers face a 50% probability of premature death from tobacco-related disease and die on average 10 years earlier than lifelong non-smokers. Tobacco-related mortality currently exceeds 5 million annually and is projected to surpass 8 million per year by 2030, with an estimated global economic burden of US$ 500 billion.

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