Shorter Life with Cigarettes and Alcohol

The consumption, and often abuse, of alcohol is oftenstudy puts an impression on the life-limiting effects of
accompanied by cigarette smoking. Ninety percent ofsmoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It
alcoholics also smoke Marlboro cigarettes inprovides a stark illustration of how these risk factors in
comparison to about 30% of the general population. Itmiddle age can reduce life expectancy."
has been proposed that smoking could, by deliveringSmoking and drinking has been part of our social
the stimulating effects of nicotine, outset thepractices for decades, and even though everybody
depressant effects of alcohol. Such a suggestion isknows it's bad for the health, everybody still does it.
consistent with animal studies which have indicatedHe added: "The good smoke news is that all of us can
that cross-tolerance exists between tobacco andmake changes to help us live a healthy life for longer,
alcohol so that nicotine consumption may decreaseeven after 50. We know that stopping smoking and
sensitivity to the severe intoxicating effects of alcohol.reducing blood pressure and cholesterol, by lifestyle
But for the first time doctors have measured thechanges and/or tablets, can prevent the start of heart
effect of the three major killers of middle-aged men:disease – and these findings suggest it could make
smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Anda decade of difference to our lives."
they found that men who smoke and don’t wantDoctors discovered that smoking and alcohol cut the
to quit, or to control their blood pressure andpeople’s life. However another study found that a
cholesterol are losing 10 to 15 years of their lives.100 year old man in China village Chijan Shutzin thinks
A previous study investigated 19,000 smokers andhe can't live without cigarettes and alcohol. He began
non-smokers. They found that men who reached thesmoking and drinking when he was young and does it
age of 50 with all three risk factors lived on averagetill this time when has dinner. His grandson counted that
to the age of 73, while those without any of the risksfor his long live his grandfather drank 15 tons of vodka
lived till 83. When other risks were included, such asand smoked more than 1 ton of tobacco. He also eats
diabetes and obesity, they discovered that the lessa lot. His usual dinner includes 2 trotters, a dish with fat
healthy lived until 70 on average, while the healthiestpork with the rice, fruit and vegetables.
lived till 85 years old.Scientists reported that this is a exception that
Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director at thecan’t be explained.
British Heart Foundation (BHF), said: "This important