WELLINGTON, June 27 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA) warned on Saturday that smoking could cut your life short by 15 years.

    NZMA Acting Chairman Paul Ockelford said an international study on mortality from smoking estimates that worldwide, long-term smokers who die from a smoking-related illness, die an average of 15 years early.

    "What is often forgotten is the impact these deaths have on the people left behind. If you continue to smoke, your grandchildren might never get to know you, and you'll miss seeing them grow up," he said.

    "People work hard all their lives and deserve a long retirement. Smoking could rob you of that retirement, and mean you don't get to make the contribution to society or to your culture that you would have," he added.

    Ockelford said doctors see the aftermath of smoking deaths and how much suffering it causes families. "The best thing you can do for you and your family is quit smoking."

    He said there is a lot of help available for people who want to stop smoking - including low-cost nicotine replacement therapy.