A new study of 50,000 men and women in Norway gave much more specific, and sobering, data on who smoking shortens life in "middle age" - that is between the ages of 40 and 70.
In simple terms, here's the proportion of men and women who were nonsmokers, smokers who quit and continuing smokers (by # of cigarettes) who died between ages 40 and 70:
Women (% died) Men (% died)
Non-smoker 9 14
Previous but quit smoking 12 19
1-9 cigarettes per day 17 31
10-19 cigarettes per day 19 34
20-24 cigarettes per day 24 38
>25 cigarettes per day -- 43
Conclusion: Tobacco use is not an "old person's" cause of death for either gender and increasing smoking leads to increased risk of early death. Despite all the studies done to date on tobacco, this one was the largest and best at demonstrating just how powerful tobacco is at what ages and how increased use leads to increased risk. So if you've quit, are trying to, or are cheerleading someone who has (we ALL need cheerleading), keep up the good work.
Dr. Mike, Chief Health and Medical Officer at Lumenos