Smoking 40 Cigarettes a Day and Living to 100: The Remarkable Story of a British Grandmother

Active Social Life and Regular Activity: Keys to Her Longevity
Experts: "An Extremely Rare Case... Smoking Risks Remain"

The story of a British woman who has lived to be 100 years old while smoking 20 to 40 cigarettes a day is drawing attention.

The New York Post reported that Margaret Ham, who lives in Basingstoke, England, celebrated her 100th birthday on June 27, 2026. She still smokes every day, but is reportedly in relatively good health, able to move around her house alone with the help of a cane.

Margaret, who was born in Bristol, England in 1926, served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) during World War II and later started a family. She now spends time with her granddaughter and has weekly family dinners.

The story of Margaret Ham (right), a British woman who celebrated her 100th birthday despite smoking 20 to 40 cigarettes a day, has become a hot topic. On the left is her granddaughter Rachel Matthews. Photo captured from New York Post

Ham also has unique eating habits. She enjoys drinking strong black tea with milk and spreads thick butter and marmalade on her bread. However, it is reported that she rarely drinks alcohol.

Her family members have expressed their astonishment at how Ham has remained healthy until the age of 100 despite these lifestyle habits. Her granddaughter, Rachel Matthews, said, "My grandmother has never quit smoking in her life, and even though those around her have repeatedly warned her about her health, she never changed her lifestyle," adding, "It is a mystery how she was born with this kind of constitution." Matthews reportedly organized an event to have congratulatory cards sent from around the world to celebrate her grandmother's 100th birthday.

However, experts emphasize that Ham's case is an extremely rare exception and should not be interpreted as evidence that smoking is beneficial to health or longevity.

Experts explained, "Longevity is the result of a complex interplay of genetic factors, lifestyle, and environment," stressing that the risks of smoking do not change based on a few exceptional cases. Numerous studies have shown that smoking increases the risk of various diseases, including lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.

In fact, rather than smoking, Ham's ability to move independently, maintain an active lifestyle, and engage regularly with her family are seen as positive factors for a healthy old age. Several studies have also found that people who maintain active social relationships and a positive outlook tend to have a lower risk of cognitive decline and premature death.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.