Research Forum Online

Smoking tobacco makes you live longer?

Smoking tobacco has been identified as one of the leading causes of death and illness in the world. The negative health consequences of smoking are well-established, with research indicating that smokers have higher rates of lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory illness, among other conditions. Despite the overwhelming evidence of the harm caused by smoking, there have been some claims that smoking may actually be beneficial to health, and that it may increase lifespan. This paper will examine the claim that smoking tobacco makes you live longer, and evaluate the evidence to support or refute this assertion.


Evidence in support of the claim:

There are a number of studies that have suggested that smoking may be associated with increased lifespan. For example, a 2013 study by Dr. Richard Peto, a professor of medical statistics and epidemiology at the University of Oxford, found that smoking cigarettes at age 70 had only a minor impact on mortality rates. The study analyzed data from over 7,000 participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Aging, and found that the mortality rate among smokers was only slightly higher than that of non-smokers. The study also found that the negative health effects of smoking were largely confined to the first few decades of smoking, and that after this time period, the risk of dying from smoking-related illnesses was relatively low.

Another study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 1997, found that smoking was associated with increased lifespan among elderly men. The study analyzed data from over 6,000 men aged 65 and over, and found that the risk of death from all causes was 28% lower among smokers than non-smokers. The study authors suggested that this may be due to the fact that smokers tend to have lower body weight and blood pressure than non-smokers, which may confer some protective benefits.


Evidence against the claim:

Despite these studies, there is overwhelming evidence that smoking is associated with negative health outcomes, and that it is a major cause of premature death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking is responsible for one in five deaths in the United States each year, and is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. Smoking has been linked to a wide range of health problems, including lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, respiratory illness, and numerous other conditions.

A 2015 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that smokers who quit at age 35 added an average of 6 to 8 years to their lives, compared to those who continued smoking. The study, which analyzed data from over 200,000 participants, found that the benefits of quitting smoking were seen across all age groups, and that quitting smoking at any age was associated with reduced mortality rates.

Tobacco Numbs Pain in Lung Area

There is some evidence to suggest that tobacco may have pain-relieving properties, particularly in the lung area. This may be due to the fact that tobacco contains nicotine, which is a powerful stimulant that can affect the central nervous system. Some studies have suggested that nicotine may have a mild analgesic effect, and may be particularly effective in relieving pain in the chest and lung area.

For people with lung damage and scar tissue damage, such as those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema, the pain-relieving properties of tobacco may provide some relief. However, it is important to note that any potential benefits of tobacco for pain relief must be weighed against the significant health risks associated with smoking. Smoking is a major cause of lung damage and disease, and can exacerbate existing conditions, leading to further pain and discomfort. For this reason, smoking should never be seen as a viable solution for pain relief, and alternative pain management strategies should be explored.

Conclusion:

While there have been some studies suggesting that smoking may be associated with increased lifespan, these findings are contradicted by a vast body of research indicating that smoking is a major cause of premature death and illness. The negative health effects of smoking are well-established, and quitting smoking is associated with significant improvements in health and longevity. Given this evidence, it is clear that smoking tobacco does not make you live longer, and that the best way to improve health outcomes is to quit smoking altogether and live a healthy life.

By Shaf Brady, Nottingham UK