Do you consider yourself a “social smoker”? Do you smoke only 2-5 cigarettes a day and think that it does not affect your health? A new large-scale study forces you to completely reconsider this popular illusion. The work is published in PLOS Medicine.
Scientists at the Johns Hopkins Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention analyzed data from more than 300,000 people. The result is clear: there is no such thing as a “safe dose” of nicotine.
What did the study show?
An analysis covering almost two decades of observations revealed alarming facts for fans of “light” smoking:
- Smoking just 2-5 cigarettes a day increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by 50%.
- The risk of premature death from any cause increases by 60% compared to those who have never smoked.
The body remembers everything
Another important conclusion concerns recovery. Yes, quitting smoking dramatically reduces risks in the first 10 years. However, our blood vessels have a long memory: even 20-30 years after the last cigarette, the risk of certain diseases may remain slightly higher than in people who have never touched tobacco. This is another argument in favor of not postponing the decision “for Monday.”
Why is “just smoking less” not the answer?
Researchers emphasize: the harm from smoking is not distributed proportionally. The first few cigarettes cause the greatest impact on the body. Therefore, the strategy of “I'll reduce the pack to five” is a self-deception that does little to protect your heart.
The only way that really works and guarantees health is to completely and as soon as possible quit smoking.
