Persons aged 40 years in the US infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and who smoke cigarettes lose >6 years of life expectancy from smoking, according to a recent study. Using a computer simulation of HIV disease and treatment to project the life expectancy of HIV-infected persons, the study projected survival on smoking status, sex, and initial age. Total potential life-years gained was also estimated if a proportion of the approximately 248,000 HIV-infected US smokers quit smoking. Researchers found:

• Men and women entering HIV care at age 40 years lost 6.7 years and 6.3 years of life expectancy, respectively, compared with never smokers.
• Men and women who quit smoking upon entering care regained 5.7 years and 4.6 years, respectively.
• Younger age, higher initial CD4+ T-cell count, and complete adherence to antiretroviral therapy were among factors associated with greater benefits from smoking cessation.
• Smoking cessation by 10% to 25% of HIV-infected smokers could save ~106,000 to 265,000 years of life.