Exposure to Tobacco: A Silent Killer that Speeds up Aging and Boosts Disease Risk

A research published in the journal Science Advances has uncovered that exposure to tobacco both in utero and during childhood can hasten aging and boost the likelihood of developing lung diseases, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Scientists from Chinese and British universities analyzed blood samples from 276,000 individuals from the United Kingdom Biobank to study the influence of tobacco exposure on chronological and biological aging.

The study revealed that people who were exposed to tobacco while in the womb were biologically older than their chronological age by 0.49 years and had shorter telomeres, which are associated with aging. Those who began smoking in childhood (ages 5-14) were biologically older by 2.51 years and had significantly shorter telomeres.

Researchers emphasized the significance of quitting smoking early to prevent biological aging and related diseases, regardless of genetic background. The study suggests that early exposure to tobacco can speed up the onset of chronic illnesses and increase the risk of premature death. Quitting smoking at an early age can help prevent the accelerated aging brought about by tobacco exposure and reduce the risk of associated conditions.