A study published in the "Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health" showed that even small amounts of tobacco, whether inhaled or not, can cause many health problems. The National Cancer Institute claims the only way to reduce risk of developing smoking-related diseases is to not smoke at all. That means light smoking can be as detrimental to your health as heavy smoking.
Nicotine Dependency
Tobacco is an addictive substance that is abused on a daily basis. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, nicotine is the main source of addiction found in tobacco. Light smoking can still lead to this dependency and can cause you to take up smoking on a regular basis.
Lung Cancer
The National Human Genome Research Institute states that 75 percent of lung cancer deaths were attributed to smoking. The institute also did research that shows a specific gene may play a role in lung cancer. Individuals who carry this gene have a increased chance of developing lung cancer even if they only smoke on a limited basis.
Cardiovascular Disease
Blood vessels respond negatively to smoking. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim that the narrowing of these vessels is responsible for reduced blood circulation. This causes cardiovascular disease along with potential swelling and weakening of the aorta, which may to lead to a risk of aneurysm.
Respiratory Disease
The purpose of the lungs are to breathe in air and oxygen. When chemicals from smoking are added, the lungs become damaged. Emphysema and bronchitis are two common respiratory diseases associated with smoking. These diseases make it very difficult to breathe and function normally and often require the use of oxygen.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Smoking and Tobacco Use
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Tobacco Addiction
- National Human Genome Research Institute: Genetic Variant Greatly Increases Lung Cancer Risk for Light, Non-Smokers
- National Cancer Institute: The Truth About "Light" Cigarettes: Questions and Answers
- Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health: Importance of Light Smoking and Inhalation Habits on Risk of Myocardial Infarction and All Cause Mortality.
