R-006: 21st-century hazards of smoking and benefits of cessation in the United States
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Research ID | R-006 |
| Authors | Jha P, Ramasundarahettige C, Landsman V, et al. |
| Year | 2013 |
| Journal / publisher | New England Journal of Medicine |
| DOI | 10.1056/NEJMsa1211128 |
| PMID | Not reported |
| ISBN | Not reported |
| Research type | Cohort Study |
| Evidence strength | Strong |
| Population | ~200,000 US adults followed over time |
| Intervention | Not reported |
| Comparator | Not reported |
| Last verified | 2026-10-04 |
Main question
What are the mortality risks of continued smoking, and what are the benefits of quitting at different ages?
Main findings
Smokers lose about a decade of life on average. Quitting before age 40 avoids roughly 90% of the excess risk; quitting at 50–59 avoids a substantial share, with benefits at every age.
Limitations
Observational design; smoking behavior self-reported at baseline.
Why this record matters
Not reported
Related topics
Health Benefits; Quit Timeline; Long-Term