The Cost Of That Puff

The Cost of That Puff

World No Tobacco Day is observed on 31 May every year. Tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of death globally — responsible for more than 8 million deaths per year, including approximately 1.2 million deaths from exposure to second-hand smoke. In India, tobacco use (smoking and smokeless) affects approximately 267 million adults.

The True Cost of Smoking

• Health costs — smoking causes lung cancer, COPD, cardiovascular disease, stroke, mouth cancer, oesophageal cancer, bladder cancer, and many other conditions. Smokers lose an average of 10 years of life expectancy compared to non-smokers

• Financial costs — the direct cost of cigarettes, plus the indirect costs of healthcare, lost productivity, and premature death, make tobacco one of the most economically destructive habits

• Social costs — second-hand smoke harms family members, colleagues, and bystanders; children exposed to second-hand smoke have higher rates of respiratory illness, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

The Genetics of Nicotine Addiction

Why do some people find it much harder to quit smoking than others? Genetics plays a significant role. Variants in genes including CHRNA5, CHRNA3, and CHRNB4 (nicotinic acetylcholine receptor genes) influence nicotine dependence, smoking behaviour, and the risk of smoking-related diseases. Understanding your genetic nicotine metabolism profile can help you choose the most effective cessation strategy — whether nicotine replacement therapy, medication (like varenicline or bupropion), or behavioural support.

Quitting: The Best Investment You Can Make

The health benefits of quitting smoking begin within 20 minutes of the last cigarette and continue for years. Within 10 years of quitting, the risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker. It is never too late to quit.