Even Just 1 Cigarette a Day Increases Cardiovascular Disease Risk!

Recently, BMJ (British Medical Journal) published a study reporting that just one cigarette daily raises heart disease and stroke risk by approximately half the excess risk associated with 1 pack (20 cigarettes) daily.

This meta-analysis assessed studies involving 5.6 million people for cardiovascular disease and 7.3 million for stroke, across 21 countries between 1946-2015. Its striking results show that one daily cigarette increases men’s cardiovascular disease risk by % 48-% 74 and in women by % 57-% 114; it was also shown to increase stroke risk in both sexes by approximately %30.

Cardiovascular disease, at 48%, is the most important smoking-related cause of death. This means smoking will cause premature death among approximately 1 billion smokers worldwide.

People living with a smoker and continuously exposed to smoke (passive smokers) have approximately 25% higher ischemic heart disease risk than those living with nonsmokers.

Since even smoke exposure increases cardiovascular risk, smoking less clearly does not eliminate risk. It is therefore incorrect to consider 1-5 cigarettes daily safer than a pack.

The study described cardiovascular risks for people smoking 1 and 5 cigarettes daily compared with 20 (1 pack) as follows:

• For coronary heart disease risk, compared with 20 daily, men smoking 1 and 5 had risks increased to 42% and 57%, respectively, while women’s reached 31% and 43%;
• For stroke, men’s risks rose to 41% and 52%, and women’s to 34% and 44%.

Smoking increases heart attack and stroke risk, and smoking less does not reduce it as much as believed.

The study matters because it demonstrates no safe smoking level for cardiovascular disease. Smoking small amounts, occasionally or fewer cigarettes all carry substantial risk. Only quitting completely is protective.

A few words about electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and other nonburning tobacco products: convincing studies showing greater safety than cigarettes are lacking. Global tobacco producers and marketers appear to seek more dependence through new products. Whether or not these contain nicotine, several more decades may be needed to demonstrate harms from their other additives.

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