decreased lifespan after cessation?

[robertsc99]

I have recently been approved by VA for a chantix prescription, and expect to start the cessation program within days.  I've been told that a recent medical study indicates that a male of my age, 66, incurs decreased longevity by quitting smoking after 50 years addiction.  can someone direct me to such a study, or advise if I've been misled?

[my_mayberry]

i've never heard it either. there are statistics that show if you quit smoking after being diagnosed with lung cancer, it does increase your chance of survival. i mention this because generally smokers getting lung cancer are long time smokers so if it does benefit them, then i think it would apply to someone who's been a long-time smoker but has not been diagnosed with cancer.

either way...i don't know if you've ever quit smoking before, but it's worth it just because many things feel better. i quit 10 months ago. i still get urges sometimes...but ultimately it's great to be able to breath again and smell....most of all it's great not to have to ALWAYS think about when my next smoke break would be or get out at 11:00 pm in sub-zero temps just because i ran out of cigarettes.

if such a study DOES exist, i'd be interested to know about it. i could only imagine that after that many years of smoking, it's breaking the addiction itself that would take it's toll on the body....but i wouldn't think that the toll it takes could be more severe than that of continued smoking. then again, maybe i'm wrong.

[mr.lucky66]

I've never heard of anything like that. I've been told the opposit, that stoping smoking increses life span. I quit with chantix over a year ago and it worked well for me.

[tschock]

Never heard of that one before...have heard them say that about alcohol consumption though.
My dad is the same age as you and they kept him in hospital to dry out and quit smoking after blood clots were found in his lungs.
They said he could die from the alcohol withdrawal if not treated properly,but not from the smoking.

Good luck and proud of you!