The many people who develop serious illnesses or die prematurely from smoking-related causes are less likely to become the focus of stories about extraordinary longevity.
This can make smoking appear less dangerous than it is.
Is it ever too late to quit?
No. Quitting smoking can provide health benefits at many ages.
After cessation, the body begins recovering from some of the harmful effects of tobacco exposure. Over time, the risk of cardiovascular disease and several other smoking-related conditions declines.
The speed and extent of improvement depend on factors such as smoking history and existing disease, but stopping is generally beneficial even after many years of smoking.
People who want to quit can discuss nicotine replacement therapy, prescription medications, counseling, and other evidence-based support with a healthcare professional.
The most important lesson from Calment's story is not that smoking can be harmless. It is that exceptional longevity does not cancel out well-established medical risks.
What About Drinking Wine Every Day?
Wine is often discussed in relation to longevity, particularly because some traditional dietary patterns include moderate wine consumption.
However, the relationship between alcohol and health is complex, and claims about wine's protective effects are frequently overstated.
Alcohol can increase the risk of several cancers, including breast, liver, mouth, throat, esophageal, and colorectal cancer. It can also contribute to liver disease, high blood pressure, injuries, sleep disruption, and alcohol dependence.
Wine contains compounds derived from grapes, including polyphenols. Some of these compounds have been investigated for their potential biological effects.
But the presence of potentially beneficial compounds does not mean that drinking wine provides a net health benefit.
Similar compounds can be obtained from grapes, berries, and other plant foods without consuming alcohol.
Does moderate drinking extend life?
Observational studies have sometimes reported associations between certain drinking patterns and health outcomes. However, these studies can be affected by differences in socioeconomic circumstances, existing health conditions, diet, exercise, and the characteristics of people included in comparison groups.
People who abstain from alcohol are not always a uniform group. Some have never consumed alcohol, while others stopped because of illness or previous alcohol problems.
These differences can distort apparent relationships between alcohol consumption and mortality.
Current evidence does not justify recommending that people begin drinking wine to improve longevity.
For people who already drink, reducing consumption can lower alcohol-related risks. For people who do not drink, there is no medical need to start.
Older adults may be particularly vulnerable to alcohol's effects because aging can change how the body processes alcohol. Alcohol may also interact with prescription medications and increase the risk of falls.
Anyone with liver disease, a history of alcohol dependence, certain medical conditions, or medications that interact with alcohol should discuss the risks with a healthcare professional.
What Was the One Important Thing She Did Every Day?
The headline in the image suggests that Calment followed one important daily habit that may explain her exceptional lifespan.
However, there is no scientifically established daily ritual that has been proven to account for her living to 122.
Stories about long-lived individuals sometimes emphasize walking, maintaining a positive attitude, eating a particular food, enjoying social contact, or following a relaxed daily routine.
Some of these behaviors are consistent with broader evidence about healthy aging. Yet it would be inaccurate to identify one as the proven cause of Calment's longevity without reliable evidence.
Instead of searching for a secret that supposedly explains one person's lifespan, it is more useful to focus on behaviors that research consistently associates with better health.
These include not smoking, staying physically active, eating a varied diet, maintaining social connections, obtaining sufficient sleep, and managing chronic medical conditions.
Such habits do not guarantee an exceptionally long life, but they can improve the likelihood of maintaining physical and mental function as people age.
Seven Evidence-Based Habits That Support Healthy Aging
1. Move your body regularly
Physical activity supports cardiovascular function, muscle strength, balance, bone health, and metabolic regulation.
Walking is one of the simplest ways to remain active. It requires little equipment, can be adapted to different fitness levels, and may be incorporated into daily routines.
Other useful activities include swimming, cycling, dancing, gardening, and strength training.
For many adults, public health guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, along with muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days, when medically appropriate.
Older adults may also benefit from balance-focused exercises that help reduce the risk of falls.