Interactive Tool: How Does Smoking Affect Your Lifespan?

What does your score mean?

The damage caused by smoking varies from person to person. This tool uses an estimate based on statistical averages to increase your awareness of how smoking may be impacting your life.

This tool does not calculate the long-term impact smoking will have on the quality of your life and the lives of people you care about. The disabling effects of smoking-related illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, or emphysema can cause significant suffering and medical expense, regardless of whether they directly affect the number of years of your life.

How much time smoking takes from your life also depends on lifestyle choices other than smoking, such as eating habits and exercise. These factors may increase or decrease the amount of time your life will be shortened by smoking.


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Author: Debby Golonka, MPH
Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Last Updated: October 11, 2007
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
John Hughes, MD - Psychiatry

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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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