Health experts have warned millions of Brits they are making a horror health mistake which could increase their risk of dying early by as much as 60%. It’s been revealed that just two cigarettes a day could be enough to kill you.
The study, conducted by scientists from John Hopkins University, reported that even ‘low intensity smoking’ can raise the risk of dying early by 60%. Low intensity smoking is considered to be between two and five cigarettes a day.
Scientists found that across 20 years of data from 300,000 people, hardened addicts and even social smokers are at serious risk. They were at a higher chance of dying prematurely or developing heart disease.
An average smoker in the UK is said to go through 11 cigarettes a day, with health experts warning that reducing the amount is not enough to reverse the health damage.
Dr Michael Blaha, Team Lead of the research, told the Sun: “It is remarkable how harmful smoking is and even low doses confer large risks.
“It is imperative to quit smoking as early in life as possible.”
Across a study of 22 smokers, it was found that smokers who went through two to five cigarettes a day were 50% more likely to get heart disease than people who never smoked. The smokers were also 60% more likely to have died before the 20 year follow-up study.
The Office for National Statistics recorded that one in eight adults are smokers, with six million Brits smoking tobacco.
Chemicals inhaled while smoking tobacco can cause dementia and various types of cancer. The habit also causes inflammation in the body, weakening the immune system and leading to conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
