Elderly

Although elderly people are much less likely to attempt quitting smoking, they are often the most successful. While smoking-related medical complications might take longer to fade than younger smokers, quitting is still the best way to reduce the risk or severity of illnesses caused by smoking.

The burden on the lungs will be at its most severe among the elderly who have been smoking most of their lives. Currently, cancer is the second leading cause of death among the elderly.  In addition to lung cancer, chronic bronchitis sets in as the airways to the lungs thicken and the lungs begin to lose tissue.

Recent studies show a strong link between smoking and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. According to a recent study by Kaiser Permanente, compared to non-smokers, for two-pack-a-day smokers, the risk was more than doubled.  For those who smoked one to two packs, the risk increased by 44 percent, and for those who smoked about half a pack a day in mid-life, the risk was increased by 37 percent, in comparison to non-smokers.

There is also a high risk of fires among the elderly who smoke. Not putting out a cigarette properly and going to sleep could result in an overnight fatality. Concerns have escalated in some parts of the United States that some states have enacted laws requiring fire-safe cigarettes. This is not the case everywhere yet, and the risk still holds among many elderly people.

Regardless of how old you are, it is never too late to quit smoking.  Studies show just 10 years after quitting, the lung cancer death rate is about half that of a person who continues smoking. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas also decreases.  The longer a person stops smoking, the healthier he/she can become.

If you are a smoker and are trying to quit smoking, it is possible to quit. We are now recruiting individuals to participate in a clinical research study. We are looking for individuals, both with and without a history of a mental health disorder. For more information, visit our About the Trial page.

Smoking Calculator