“If this is what my outside appearance looks like… I can’t even imagine what my insides look like.”
With the help of Dr. Hays, director of the Nicotine Dependence Center at Mayo Clinic, and a makeup artist, BuzzFeed aged three smokers to show the physical effects of a continued smoking habit.
*This is a broad estimation of how a regular smoker would physically age over the course of 20-30 years. Individual experiences will vary.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, taking the lives of approximately 480,000 Americans each year.
Kirsten King for BuzzFeed
Kirsten King for BuzzFeed
Michael was the most frequent smoker out of the three volunteers, smoking about two packs a day. "It's something that I want to quit eventually, but it's a lot easier said than done," said Michael.
Chantel Houston for BuzzFeed