One of the biggest killers worldwide is smoking, as per the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports, more than 8 million deaths happen annually due to cigarette usage. Out of the 8 million deaths, over 1.35 lakh deaths have happened in India alone. The number of deaths is linked to cancer, lung disease and heart ailments. As per the new research, if a person reduces the number of cigarettes they won’t protect their heart. In a recent study published in PLOS Medicine, an alarming insight on smoking has been revealed.

What was the earlier research?

After three years of quitting smoking, the risk of death drops by 90–95%.
10 years after quitting, the smokers’ life expectancy recovers completely.
Between 2005 and 2014, a lot of people have ‘cut down’ on smoking but didn’t quit.

16% to 27% smokers reduced the number of cigarettes to 10 cigarettes/day.
19% to 23% turned non-daily smokers.

What is the new study?

For the latest research, 22 major cohort studies under the Cross-Cohort Collaboration Tobacco Working Group were analyzed. For the study smoking years, cigarettes per day (CPD), and years since quitting were tracked. All data was compared with the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation.
Some 3,23,826 adults were followed for nearly 50 years, leading to 25 million person-years.

Who Was at Highest Risk?

Smokers topped every risk category. Especially 74% of men had higher risk of cardiovascular disease and 117% had higher risk of death. And in women, CVD risk was double compared to non-smokers. Even light smokers who smoke even 1 cigarette a day make it dangerous. Such people can have higher risk of multiple heart conditions.

Those who smoke 2–5 cigarettes/day can have:
* 26% higher risk of atrial fibrillation
* 57% higher risk of heart failure
* 57% higher risk of cardiovascular death
* 60% higher overall mortality

Those smoking 11–15 cigarettes/day can have 87% higher CVD risk and 130% higher overall mortality. The study has also revealed that the younger generation starts smoking early and continues for longer leading to long-term health threats.

How does quitting help?

Quitting smoking has short-term and long-term benefits.
1. Sharp drop in cardiovascular dangers
2. Two decades after quitting, smokers showed 80% lower CVD and lower mortality risk
3. Heavy smokers who stop smoking recover better than light smokers
What matters the most is the duration of quitting than lifetime cigarette exposure.

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