Researchers found that teens who smoke, after several decades, are more likely to die from heart disease, even if they quit smoking before they reach middle age.
But in the worst situation are people who start smoking in their teens and keep this addiction for the rest of their lives. The probability of dying early in such people is two times higher than in non-smokers. These are the data published in the journal of the American College of Cardiology.
“This risk is cumulative,” said Professor David Batty, who was working on a new study at University College London. - "If you smoke all your life, you are at much greater risk than if you just smoked in your student years."
Scientists examined the data of more than 28,000 men who studied at universities in 1916-1950. About 10,000 of them reported that they smoked as students. Almost half of the participants died over the next 53 years.
Risks were higher due to heart disease and cancer, in particular.
For those who quit smoking during the observation period, the risk of death decreased significantly.
Scientists emphasize the importance of activities such as anti-tobacco media campaigns and hotlines for people who want to quit smoking.
"We cannot lose sight of all smokers and the fact that the percentage of people who quit smoking is really very low, only about 3% every year," says Dr. Michael Siegel of Boston University.
