Smoking

+How dangerous is smoking for the heart and blood vessels?

A person who smokes 20 cigarettes a day has six times the risk of stroke compared to someone who doesn’t smoke. Smoking also affects LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides, while increasing the chance of blood clots that can block blood flow to the heart and brain. Consequently, smokers face a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and damage to the vessels in the limbs (especially the legs).

+How dangerous is secondhand smoke?

Secondhand smoke is a stealthy and often underestimated threat. It raises the risk of coronary artery disease by 25–40%—very close to the risk level of an actual smoker. Additionally, non-smokers who live with a smoker have a 20–30% greater likelihood of developing lung cancer.

Children are the most vulnerable. They face a higher risk of respiratory infections and asthma because of secondhand smoke.

+Are electronic cigarettes harmless?

Even though electronic cigarettes don’t burn tobacco, many still contain nicotine, leading to the associated effects (dependence, anxiety, increased heart rate). The liquid in e-cigarettes often combines nicotine, flavorings, glycol, and other additives. Unfortunately, the e-cigarette market is not well-regulated, and studies have found toxic chemicals in some products.

+Do “light” cigarettes really reduce the chance of cancer?

That is a myth. While “light” cigarettes may contain less nicotine, other carcinogens are still present—sometimes in even higher concentrations.