The health risks of smoking are much higher for men who have picked up the habit than men who haven't.

Male smokers are reportedly three times more likely than non-smoking men to lose their Y chromosomes, according to a new study published in the journal Science.

Researchers at Sweden's Uppsala University reportedly found that Y chromosomes, which are crucial for sex determination and sperm production, disappear from blood cells of those consistently smoking than those of men who have never smoked or of men who have quit smoking, according to Reuters.

The results of the study reportedly explains why smoking has greater health risks and a great risk factor for cancer among men than women.

"There is a correlation between a common and avoidable risk factor, that is smoking, and the most common human mutation - loss of the Y chromosome," stated Jan Dumanski, an Uppsala professor who worked on the study.

She continued, "This may in part explain why men in general have a shorter life span than women and why smoking is more dangerous for men."

Those who are looking to quit smoking are in luck, according to the study.

Y chromosomes reportedly return to the blood cells of men who quit smoking, the study found, according to TIME.

"These results indicate that smoking can cause loss of the Y chromosome and that this process might be reversible," stated lead study author Lars Forsberg in a press release.

He added, "This discovery could be very persuasive for motivating smokers to quit."