The Key to Quit Social Smoking

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by Jeffrey Buckley

Updated: July 27, 2020

social smoking quitting

There is a great misbelief that only regular smoking induces damage to human body. Lighting even one cigarette will leave an unhealthy mark on your body. It doesn’t matter whether you are a regular or occasional smoker. Even exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to a fatal outcome. This is according to a new study.

There is a subset of smokers that call themselves social smokers. They don’t smoke all the time. However, they will light one up when hanging out with friends or at a party or with a drink. It appears that they may also encounter similar medical issues as regular smokers. New research, conducted by researchers from Ohio State University, came to this conclusion.

Cardiovascular Diseases Affect all Smokers the Same

In the past 3 years, according to the research, more than 30,000 people have been screened for cardiovascular diseases caused by smoking. The sample population included smokers, social smokers or nonsmokers. Shockingly, examinations have shown that high blood pressure and cholesterol are worryingly similar between social smokers and regular smokers.

There was absolutely no statistical difference in high cholesterol and blood pressure between the social smokers and the regular smokers.

– Bernadette Melnyk, Ohio State University

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death among the US citizens. Therefore, Melnyk urges her fellow Americans, and everyone else to lead a healthier lifestyle. It’s true that eating better and exercising more will keep your body healthy. However, not lighting one up will keep you away from the unnecessary health risk as well.

Smoking and breathing in secondhand smoke can lead to many dangerous conditions. This is according to government data from Center for Disease Control and Prevention. They include heart attack, stroke, blood thickening, cell damage, and many other risk factors.

Social Smoking Equally Hazardous

Among examinees, they found the youth to be at risk the most. They identified social smoking as the most common smoking practice among people aged between 21 and 30. Some might argue that social smoking will not necessarily lead a person towards addiction. However, smoking does increase the substance dependence and risk of various diseases. That is why, as Melnyk emphasized, proper education is of the utmost importance.

34,000 early deaths from cardiovascular difficulties come from secondhand smoking. An additional 8,000 people die annually of a stroke just by being exposed to secondhand smoke.

In light of this new discovery, if you are a social smoker, what should you do now?

Published: May 25, 2017Updated: July 27, 2020
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Jeffrey Buckley

I was a smoker for over 25 years. In this time I also earned my medical degree with a specialization in addiction treatment and counseling. That period has led me to vaping, my interest started around 2011. I’m fighting the tide of hysteria and dis-information around vaping that emanates from various fronts legislative, cultural and scientific. Having scientific councils support, I’m happy to contribute my thoughts, articles, and expertise.

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