Scientists have issued a stark warning about the dangers associated with smoking, even in minimal quantities.
It is widely acknowledged that smoking poses significant health risks; the images of healthy versus smoker’s lungs are a testament to that.
Engaging in smoking elevates the chances of developing severe health issues such as cancer, heart disease, and blood clots, among others. Essentially, smoking can exacerbate many health problems.
While it is true that smoking more increases the risks due to higher exposure to carcinogens and tar, some might believe that having just one or two cigarettes isn’t as harmful as smoking a pack a day.
However, recent scientific research warns about the considerable dangers linked to smoking, even in small amounts.
The study conducted at John Hopkins University monitored the smoking habits of over 300,000 adults over two decades.
The findings revealed that individuals who smoked as few as two cigarettes daily faced a 60 percent higher risk of death from any cause compared to non-smokers.
Published on November 18 in PLOS Medicine, the research also indicated that this group had a 50 percent increased risk of heart disease.
Dr. Jennifer Miao, a cardiologist at Yale University and fellow at ABC News Medical Unit, stated: “Tobacco use is a very well-established risk factor for heart disease.”
“It really damages the blood vessel lining and it accelerates the development of plaques and coronary artery disease,” she added.
Despite the increased risks, the study’s authors emphasized that quitting smoking can greatly and immediately reduce health risks.
Dr. Erfan Tasdighi, an internal medicine physician at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and co-author of the study, remarked:
“It’s important that people know that when they stop smoking, their risk goes down immediately and significantly,” he stated in an interview with ABC. He further emphasized, “It’s important to quit smoking early on, and no amount of smoking is without risk and health consequences.”
Dr. Tasdighi highlighted the gravity of the study’s conclusions, asserting that even minimal smoking is detrimental to health.
“We actually have the evidence … to say that even less than one cigarette a day can increase different multiple cardiovascular outcomes, and it’s not something that’s clinically insignificant,” he explained.
Nonetheless, he acknowledged the challenges of quitting smoking, saying: “It’s very, very important for us as clinicians to acknowledge that it’s a lot easier said than done.”