The RR of dying during the follow-up period was 1.42 (1.29–1.58) among individuals ceasing smoking at age 45–54, compared to never-smokers (Figure 4); corresponding results were 1.36 (1.20–1.53) among men and 1.52 (1.27–1.82) among women (Additional file 4: Figure S2). Mortality diminished progressively with increasing time since cessation of smoking (data not shown) and did not differ significantly from that in never-smokers in individuals ceasing use prior to age 45 (Figure 4).
