Queen’s long battle with health issues linked to smoking revealed
- The Queen missed several engagements, including the Royal Variety Performance, due to a chest infection.
- She informed actress Emily Mortimer about quitting smoking 20 years ago during a Buckingham Palace event.
- Ex-smokers are less severely affected by lung damage compared to continuing smokers, highlighting the health benefits of quitting.
In recent weeks, the Queen had to withdraw from the Royal Variety Performance due to a chest infection, which contributed to several missed engagements. During a previous event at Buckingham Palace, she disclosed to actress Emily Mortimer that she ceased smoking two decades ago. Smoking significantly increases the risk of infections by damaging lung cells and altering the lung's microbiome, making individuals more vulnerable to serious health issues like pneumonia, according to medical experts. Despite the lung scarring that may remain after quitting, former smokers tend to have improved immune function and are less severely affected than active smokers. To maintain better lung health, experts recommend regular exercise and avoiding irritants.