Listen to this PodcastMore 60-Second Science
Podcast Transcript: For someone who smokes, there’s nothing like that first nicotine rush of the day. But though taking a puff may bring smokers pleasure, it doesn’t make them happy. Or so say scientists at the Peninsula Medical School in the UK. The scientists assessed the wellbeing of nearly 10,000 people age 50 or over who signed up for something called the English Longitudinal Study of Aging. They found that the smokers in that group reported lower average levels of pleasure and less satisfaction with their lives than the non-smokers. And for smokers in the lower socioeconomic groups, the situation was even more grim.
According to Iain Lang, the lead researcher on the team, smokers may feel pleasure when they light up. But that’s because they’re feeding their addiction. Overall, they’re not any happier than nonsmokers. In fact, they’re less so. Maybe because cigarettes cost, at least here in the US, like seven bucks a pack. So, next time you see one of those cigarette ads filled with beautiful young people having the time of their lives, remember, those people are models. They’re getting paid buckets of money to look like they’re having fun. A nice big bucket of cash would probably make you happy, too.
—Karen Hopkin
60-Second Science is a daily podcast. Subscribe to this Podcast: RSS | iTunes
See what we're tweeting about
2 Comments
Add CommentI am not surprised by the fact that people over the age of 50 who smoke feel less satisfied with their lives than non-smokers. Sure the money thing is a bit of a hassle but not nearly the tension they must feel as they light up each cigarette wondering if this one will be 'the one.' That is, the one that puts them too far over the line to survive cancer-wise, heartdisease-wise or C.O.P.D.-wise. They must know that they are going to lose 7 to 15 years off their life span due to smoking and they will also face the prospect of another 4 or 5 years of real pain before they die. To them it's just a matter of time. How do I know this? I quit a 40 year addiction when I was 56 and those last 10 years of smoking were not very happy years because of just those reasons. By the way... I feel a lot better now... 9 years later.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisor maybe their life sucks like in the lower socioeconomic group and that small sense of pleasure is the only thing that can get them through their crap day/life. there are always other variables.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this