Studies show that if people do not begin to smoke as teenagers or children, it is unlikely they will ever do so. Dr. Lumpkin said that the younger a person begins smoking, the greater risk for developing smoking-related illnesses. A third of those young people who become regular smokers will eventually die as a result of their smoking. The disheartening trend, however, is an alarming increase in adolescent smoking. Between 1991 and 1994, the percentage of 8th graders who smoke increased 30 percent, and the percentage of 10th graders who smoke increased 22 percent.
Tobacco use extracts a huge human toll of suffering and death each year.
These individuals would have lived on average 12 to 15 years longer if they had not smoked. After 15 years of abstinence, the risk is similar to that of persons who have never smoked. Five to 15 years after quitting, the risk of stroke for ex-smokers returns to the level of those who have never smoked. The risk continues to decline the longer a person stays smoke-free. The benefits for women are unique.