At 59, Shah Rukh Khan quit smoking. Does age matter when kicking the butt?

On his 59th birthday, Shah Rukh Khan announced that he had finally quit smoking.
For someone who has been a regular smoker for over 30 years — even openly discussing his smoking habit in a candid India Today interview — this decision comes as a welcome surprise for fans.
But it also raises an important question: is it ever too late to quit smoking and most importantly, does that even count?

Experts share their thoughts on whether it is ever too late to quit smoking. (Photo: Unsplash)

For people who’ve been habitual smokers for decades, does the damage reach a point where recovery seems impossible, or is it always beneficial to stop somewhere, no matter when?
For those wrestling with similar doubts and wondering if now’s the time to quit, India Today spoke to experts who shared what’s the right way forward; you may want to read this.
If you’ve been smoking for decades, the idea of quitting might seem pointless. Many long-time smokers think, “The damage is done, right?”
Well, not quite.
It turns out, that quitting smoking—even after years—comes with some serious health rewards that kick in sooner than you might expect. Whether you’re in your 30s, 50s, or even in your 70s, giving up smoking can still improve your health, quality of life, and potentially even add years to your life.
Dr Vikas Mittal, pulmonologist at CK Birla Hospital in Delhi, says, “Yes, quitting smoking brings significant health benefits, no matter how long or how much a person has smoked. Research shows that the body begins to repair itself as soon as smoking stops, reducing the risk of various health issues.”

Research shows that the body begins to repair itself as soon as smoking stops. (Photo: Unsplash)

For instance, within one to two years of quitting, the risk of heart disease begins to drop sharply, and within five to ten years, the risk of certain cancers, like those of the mouth and throat, can be cut by half.
Dr Devendra Kumar Singh, senior consultant in respiratory medicine at ShardaCare Healthcity, Greater Noida, adds, “Quitting lowers the risk of heart disease, respiratory conditions, and some types of cancer, regardless of age or smoking history. Even after decades of smoking, improvement in lung function, and overall immune strength can be seen thanks to the body’s remarkable capacity for self-healing.”
Dr Singh notes that the body starts to respond favourably to stopping smoking quickly for even someone who has been smoking for years, and:
Besides these, Dr Radhika Banka, consultant respiratory physician, PD Hinduja Hospital & MRC, Mahim, Mumbai, mentions that irritability, anger, anxiety, difficulty in concentration, restlessness, increased appetite, and gastrointestinal symptoms like constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, and abdominal cramps are some of the immediate effects of quitting smoking.

Smokers may cough more as their lungs try to get rid of pollutants and mucus. (Photo; Unsplash)

However, these typically resolve within three-four weeks.
Physically, smokers may cough more as their lungs try to get rid of pollutants and mucus.
While quitting smoking reduces many risks, some of them may persist, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
COPD can develop even years after someone has quit, as it is a progressive inflammatory disease that affects the airways and can make breathing difficult, Dr Mittal mentions.
Managing COPD involves regular medical check-ups, pulmonary rehabilitation exercises, medication as prescribed, and minimising exposure to pollutants or irritants. These steps can help manage symptoms and slow disease progression.
At any given point, if you are planning to quit smoking, it’s more about mental preparation than anything else. It’s a process, and it isn’t about today you decide to stop and tomorrow you are at it again. It is about determination and consistency and not giving in to urges.
Dr Nikhil Nayar, psychiatrist, Sharda Hospital, Greater Noida lists a few things to remember when planning to quit.
When Shah Rukh Khan announced he’d quit smoking, he admitted he might not be the ideal role model in this regard, but perhaps, that’s where he was wrong.

When announcing that he has quit smoking, SRK admitted he might not be the ideal role model in this regard. (Photo: Shah Rukh Khan/Instagram)

SRK was a smoker for 30 years, but he still managed to quit. This actually gives a glimmer of hope to someone who has been struggling to quit for a long time, but can’t. We love to follow our idols on screen, and maybe his journey will inspire others to find that same determination.
Because if SRK can, so can you!