Life Expectancy: How Smoking Impacts Longevity

The difference in life expectancy between smokers and nonsmokers varies depending on factors such as the age at which a person starts smoking, the intensity of smoking (number of cigarettes smoked per day), and adherence to a healthy lifestyle.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on average, a male smoker loses about 13-14 years of life expectancy compared to a male nonsmoker, while a female smoker loses about 11-12 years of life expectancy compared to a female nonsmoker.

These estimations represent averages within large populations and individual lifespans may vary. However, smoking clearly carries significant health risks and shortens life expectancy.