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People often console themselves by saying, “I just smoke sometimes” or “What would a cigarette or two do with friends at a party?” But recent research and warnings from health experts can completely change your perception. What we take lightly as ‘social smoking’ or ‘occasional smoking’ can actually be as dangerous for the body as smoking cigarettes daily.

The illusion of ‘social smoking’ and its effects on the body

Most people believe that if they are not finishing an entire pack of cigarettes in a day, they are safe. But experts say that there is no such thing as ‘safe limit’ in case of smoking. When you smoke a cigarette, even ‘occasionally’, nicotine and the hundreds of toxic chemicals in it immediately enter your bloodstream. This hardens your arteries and suddenly increases blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attack.

‘Silent killer’ for lungs and heart

According to research, even among people who do not smoke daily, the risk of lung cancer and heart diseases is much higher than that of a normal person. ‘Occasional smoking’ directly damages your endothelial function (the inner lining of the arteries). Even a single cigarette can cause inflammation in the body, which can lead to serious diseases in the long run. Additionally, occasional drinkers are at risk for asthma and respiratory diseases.

first step towards addiction

Psychologists believe that social smoking is often a ‘slippery slope’. It is not even known when an occasional cigarette consumed with alcohol or during stress turns into a regular habit. Nicotine receptors in the brain, once activated, demand the same ‘kick’ again and again, eventually making the person completely dependent on tobacco.

What does science say?

Studies conducted by various heart health bodies show that social smokers are almost as likely to have high blood pressure and high cholesterol as regular smokers. This means that whether you smoke four cigarettes a month or four a day, the damage to your cardiovascular system is quite serious. Therefore, the only way to stay healthy is not to ‘reduce’ the number of cigarettes, but to ‘quit’ them altogether.