Professor Sanjay Agrawal has highlighted the urgent need to address smoking, which remains the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the UK.

Smoking is responsible for approximately 80,000 deaths each year in the UK and contributes to a quarter of all cancer deaths in England.

Globally, tobacco use is a major avoidable cause of diseases and deaths, with long-term smokers facing a mortality rate of up to two-thirds.

Public health minister Andrew Gwynne is urging smokers to take advantage of the new year as a chance to quit, emphasizing the deadly and costly nature of smoking.

Research indicates that a smoker who quits ten cigarettes a day could prevent the loss of a full day of life within a week and potentially extend their life by a month by August.

A recent study by University College London reveals that each cigarette smoked reduces life expectancy by about 20 minutes, with men losing 17 minutes and women losing 22 minutes per cigarette.

Experts stress that complete cessation is crucial to maximize health benefits, as even minimal smoking carries significant risks with no safe level established.

Dr. Sarah Jackson from University College London stresses that quitting smoking at any age yields immediate health benefits, with resources available through the NHS Quit Smoking app.

The analysis emphasizes that smoking accelerates health decline, causing significant health issues in midlife and leading to an average loss of ten years of life for those who do not quit.

British GP Sarah Jarvis has noted that smoking not only shortens life but also severely deteriorates quality of life.

Various resources are available to assist smokers in quitting, including public health services in the UK and programs through the CDC in the U.S.

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