Women Smokers Have Caught up to Men on Death Risk

(Image Source: Women’s Health)

BY KATIE BRENNAN ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY Some good and bad news for smokers today.. Let’s start with the bad. A study by the New England Journal of Medicine found female smokers are dying of lung cancer far more often than they were decades ago. WCCO explains it’s because women are getting manlier...

“Women now have the same smoking patterns as men, they start earlier, smoke more and more women are lighting up.” A health blogger at Neurologica notes: “Women have essentially caught up to men in this regard (probably not a form of equality they were hoping for)...”

The study shows women are dying at 25 times the rate of non-smokers.. that rate used to be 2 to 3 times the normal rate. Now for the good news. (NBC)

“The encouraging news here is quitting before 40 reduces the smoking related death risk by 90 percent compared to continuing on as a smoker.”

Based off that stat, one blogger suggests:

“Good news for those of you who promised to stop at 30, but didn’t – you’re good for another 10 years. In the most 'recent study,' a bunch of Canadian nerds discovered that you will regain all the years you’ve lost, if you stop at 40." As nice as that sounds, the Washington Post says not so fast.

“Younger smokers should not be lulled into thinking they can smoke until 40 and then stop without consequences...The risk for lung cancer doesn’t disappear and the risk of respiratory disease doesn’t disappear. But the acute risk for heart attack or stroke pretty much disappears.”

So if that’s convinced you to make that last cigarette your LAST cigarette, Fox News has some tips on how to go about it:

Have a plan. The American Lung Association says this will greatly improve your chance for quitting for good. Seek Support. Ask friends and family for their help. Enter a program. Bottom line:  Surprise, man or woman, smoking is bad for you.