Young people who never smoke could spend around a decade more of their lives in good health than those who start smoking at 18 and remain lifelong smokers.
This is according to analysis from LCP’s Health Analytics team.
Through analysing Office for National Statistics (ONS) data and published research, the team estimated men were expected to spend on average 11 more years in good health (49 vs 38 years), and their remaining life expectancy would be higher by eight years (63 vs 55 years).
Women are expected to spend on average nine more years in good health (49 vs. 40 years) and their remaining life expectancy would be higher by five years (66 vs. 61 years).
The research follows a King’s Speech commitment from the new Labour government to retrieve a Tory bill to ban cigarette sales to anyone turning 18 in 2027 and younger, with the aim to create a smoke-free generation.
Hitting quality of life
Dr Mei Chan, senior statistician in LCP’s Health Analytics team, said: “We welcome the reintroduction of the smoking ban and government efforts to improve healthy life expectancy. This ban would be a promising start as our research shows the impact that smoking from a young age can have on quality of life.
“However, our research on smoking and inequalities in healthy life expectancy shows that alongside this smoking ban, joined-up policy approaches tackling multiple lifestyle factors would strengthen the long-term impact of the smoking ban on the population’s health.
“This will also help to reduce health inequalities that have been compounded by the pandemic.”