The study lasted an average of about 20 years, during which there were more than 125,000 deaths and 54,000 cardiovascular events.
The results are concerning: smoking just two to five cigarettes a day is associated with a 50% increased risk of heart failure and a 60% higher likelihood of death from any cause compared to non-smokers.
Moreover, the study showed that the effects of smoking persist for a long time. Even after quitting, the risk of cardiovascular diseases in former smokers remains higher than in those who have never smoked for three decades. The most significant reduction in risk occurs in the first ten years after quitting smoking.
The authors of the study emphasize that "the harm of smoking is simply staggering — even small doses have a significant impact on the risk of cardiovascular diseases." They also highlight that merely reducing the number of cigarettes smoked does not provide adequate health protection.
Scientists strongly recommend quitting smoking completely as soon as possible. In their opinion, the time elapsed since complete cessation of smoking plays a more crucial role than the duration of exposure to a smaller number of cigarettes per day.
