<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>339120</docID> <postdate>2025-02-26 13:28:14</postdate> <headline>Smokers’ death risk spiked for 23 common causes</headline> <body><p><img class="wp-image-339121" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/20080708000104960528-original-1-scaled-e1740536807216.jpg" alt="" width="352" height="276" /></p> <caption>Smoking causes about one quarter of deaths for people aged 45 to 74 in Australia, research shows. (Julian Smith/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p class="wire-column__preview__author"><span class="kicker-line">By <b>Holly Hales</b> in Melbourne</span></p> <p><strong>It kills dozens of Australians every day and now smoking has been linked to increased chances of dying from 23 common causes.</strong></p> <p>Researchers from The Australian National University followed 178,000 people and explored detailed evidence on smoking and cause of death in Australia.</p> <p>The habit kills more than 24,000 Australians every year, more than 66 people a day.</p> <p>Smokers are 36 times more likely to die of chronic lung disease and 18 times more likely to die of lung cancer, lead author Grace Joshy said.</p> <p>They are also 60 per cent more likely to die of dementia and twice as likely to succumb to stroke or heart disease, along with almost two dozen other causes.</p> <p>Smoking causes about one quarter of deaths for people aged 45 to 74 in Australia, Associate Professor Joshy said.</p> <p>The study analysed data from people aged 45 and older between 2005 and 2009, and were followed until 2017.</p> <p>Senior author Emily Banks said many underestimate the impacts of so-called "light smoking", which involves smoking a couple of cigarettes per day.</p> <p>"Smoking any amount is extremely harmful, especially for people's lungs," Professor Banks said.</p> <p>Quit Director Rachael Andersen said the research underscores the urgent need for people to kick the habit.</p> <p>"Smoking (causes) such devastating harm to people's lungs, hearts and brains," she said.</p> <p>"It is important people put quitting at the top of their to do list, and now people need not go it alone."</p> <p> </p> </body>