Turning Back The Clock on Lung Damage-- What to Know For Smokers and Non-Smokers

The smoking heyday is well behind us, with smoking rates plummeting by two-thirds over the past 60 years, thanks to powerful public health campaigns.

While younger generations have increasingly shunned tobacco, smoking among older adults has remained stubbornly high. Perhaps many believe it's too late to make a difference—that the damage is already done.

But compelling new research says otherwise. And if you've never smoked, these findings can still add years to your life. Here’s why…

Key Takeaways

• It's never too late to quit: Even smokers aged 75 can gain up to 4 years of life by quitting.
• Non-smokers are not immune: Secondhand smoke and radon also pose risks for lung disease.
• Quality of life improves post-smoking: Quitting not only extends life—it restores energy, taste, sleep, and breathing comfort.

Smoking Still Takes a Massive Toll

Each year, smoking causes approximately 480,000 deaths in the U.S. alone.

Cigarette smoke contains thousands of toxic chemicals that contribute to stroke, heart disease, lung disease, and multiple types of cancer. Not every smoker gets lung cancer—but smoking causes 80–90% of all lung cancer deaths. It also increases the risk for at least 14 other types of cancer. It's no surprise that quitting smoking significantly improves life expectancy.

Think It's Too Late to Quit? Science Says Otherwise

Numerous studies have shown that quitting smoking, even late in life, adds precious time to your lifespan:

• Quit at 35: gain eight years of life
• Quit at 45–55: gain six years of life¹
• Quit at 65: gain up to two years of life²

One of the conclusions of Smoking Cessation: A Report of the Surgeon General, published in 2020, was that stopping at any age reduces the risk of premature death. For instance, the report cited evidence showing that “even quitting smoking by about 60 years of age could reduce premature mortality by 40%.”³

What Everyone Gets Wrong About Smoking After Retirement

Since no analysis included people over 65, researchers at the University of Michigan School of Public Health carried out the first study to include people up to the age of 75 who stubbed out their cigarettes for the last time. What they found was encouraging and revealed the power of the human body to heal.

• Nearly 10% of people who quit before 75 gained eight or more years compared to those who kept smoking.
• Smokers who quit at 75 gained back an average of 0.7 years compared to those who continued smoking. Some gained as much as four years!⁴

As Dr. Kenneth E. Warner, a co-author of the study, put it: “The benefit is not limited to young and middle-aged adults who smoke... While the gains from quitting at older ages may seem low in absolute values, they represent a large proportion of an individual's remaining life expectancy.”⁵

The Bigger Picture: Quality of Life

In addition to a longer lifespan, quitting smoking gives you:

• Improved breathing and stamina
• Better immune function
• Restoration of your sense of taste and smell
• Higher energy and improved sleep quality

In many cases, ex-smokers find they can return to activities they thought were lost forever—gardening, walking, dancing, or simply playing with grandkids.

Non-Smokers: Why This Matters to You, Too

Even if you’ve never picked up a cigarette, chances are someone you love has—and that affects your health too. Secondhand smoke contributes to over 41,000 deaths in non-smokers each year in the U.S. alone. The decision to quit smoking can add years not just to the smoker’s life—but to yours as well.

But that’s only the beginning. Non-smokers must be aware of radon, air pollution, and occupational exposures that raise the risk of lung cancer.

In fact, lung cancer in non-smokers is more common than many people realize—and it's a growing public health concern. While smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer, about 10 to 20% of lung cancer cases occur in people who have never smoked. That translates to over 30,000 new lung cancer cases each year in the U.S. alone among non-smokers.

What Causes Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers?

• Radon Gas Exposure: Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in soil and rock. It can seep into homes and buildings through cracks in floors or foundations. It’s the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after smoking—and the leading cause in non-smokers.
• Secondhand Smoke: Long-term exposure to secondhand smoke increases lung cancer risk by up to 30%.
• Air Pollution: Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from car exhaust, industrial activity, and wildfire smoke can damage lung tissue and increase cancer risk.
• Genetic Factors: Certain genetic mutations—such as EGFR, ALK, or ROS1—are more commonly found in non-smokers with lung cancer.
• Occupational Exposure: Jobs that expose workers to asbestos, diesel exhaust, arsenic, or silica dust can increase lung cancer risk—even decades later.
• Preexisting Lung Conditions: Chronic lung inflammation from conditions like COPD or tuberculosis may also contribute to increased risk in non-smokers.

Doctors are rarely looking for lung disease or especially lung cancer in non-smokers. That’s why it’s important for you to know the signs—it can save your life.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

• Persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Hoarseness
• Unexplained weight loss
• Coughing up blood

Non-smokers may be diagnosed at later stages because neither they nor their doctors suspect lung cancer early on. However, the earlier any lung disease is diagnosed, the better your chances for recovery.

There’s been a steady improvement in survival rates, particularly when lung cancer is detected in its early stages. When caught at Stage I, five-year survival rates now approach 60 to 70%, compared to less than 10% for Stage IV disease.

Low-dose CT scans can detect lung cancer before symptoms appear. Unfortunately, only about 5 to 6% of eligible individuals receive recommended screening. If you’re concerned about the health of your lungs, talk to your doctor about screening.

What Can You Do? Follow These 10 Prevention Tips

• Don't smoke
• Avoid secondhand smoke
• Test your home for radon gas
• Use air purifiers
• Eat antioxidant-rich foods
• Exercise regularly
• Use workplace safety precautions
• Know your family history
• Get screened if you're high-risk
• Discuss early screening with your doctor if you have risk factors

It's never too late to support lung health and longevity. Even small changes to your daily routine can result in a big increase in the quality of your life and your lifespan.

Summary

A recent study by the University of Michigan reveals that quitting smoking—even as late as age 75—can still add meaningful years to your life. While most smoking cessation campaigns target younger adults, new data shows that seniors also benefit significantly from giving up tobacco. The article also explores how non-smokers are impacted by secondhand smoke, radon, and environmental toxins—and why lung health matters for everyone, regardless of smoking history.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can quitting smoking at 75 really add years to your life?
  Yes! Studies show even those who quit at 75 can live 9 months to 4 years longer than those who continue smoking.
• What are the risks for non-smokers?
  Secondhand smoke, radon exposure, and air pollution can increase lung cancer risk in non-smokers—awareness and testing are key.
• Does quitting improve quality of life, or just lifespan?
  Both. Quitting improves breathing, sleep, energy, taste, and reduces the risk of many diseases.
• Are there benefits to quitting after 60 or 65?
  Absolutely. People who quit at 65 may live 2 years longer, and nearly 10% gain over 8 additional years.
• How can I help a loved one quit later in life?
  Share supportive research like this, and focus on the benefits—more time with family, better mobility, and less pain.