Smoking Dangers For Light Smokers Still Pretty Bad, Study Shows

Oh, and you thought you could get away with only a LITTLE bit of smoking?  Maybe you’re one of those folks who thinks that as long as they don’t actually buy a pack of cigarettes, but just “bum” them off of people, you’ll be fine?  WRONG!

Turns out, research published in the Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine shows that the same smoking dangers that habitual smokers face, are also faced by light smokers.  I’m sure many of you aren’t too surprised by that, but for those weekend “bar smokers” or occasional smokers who think they’re having their cake and eating it too, here’s a little wake-up call.

Up until now, it hasn’t been very clear if it is safe to just smoke a few cigarettes a week, or just where the baseline is for when people start really doing damage to themselves. And while greater amounts of smoking certainly equate to greater risk, a lot of people are wondering if they can sneak by with just a butt or two on occasion.

IT ISN’T JUST SMOKERS WHO NEED TO WORRY

Related to this concern is the whole idea of second-hand smoke, especially for people who have to deal with a smoke-filled environment in the workplace.  Don’t forget, just because you blew that toxic crap out of your lungs, doesn’t mean it disappears.  It floats around and gets in other peoples’ lungs as well.  Sort of like the gift that keeps on giving, but instead of a gift, it’s lung cancer and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease…. think emphysema, or another word that means “Oh CRAP I can’t BREATHE!”).

And while some smoking advocates would like to claim that secondhand smoke isn’t a big deal and doesn’t pose much of a real risk, this new study indicates otherwise.

HOW THEY TESTED IT

This study is kind of cool in that they used a really great series of biological tests to check their theory.  First off, how do we know that someone has taken in cigarette smoke at all?  Their answer… check the subject’s urine.  Exposure to cigarette smoke means exposure to nicotine, and the body will rid itself of that stuff in the urine.

Next, the researchers checked the subject’s genome, or genetic structure.  I mean, the entire damn thing… the subject’s entire genetic structure, to check for any abnormalities in the genes that are related to the airways.

God, I love Science.

THE RESULTS

Turns out, even TINY amounts of exposure will start creating damage to the airways at the genetic level.  In fact, there was NO level of nicotine small enough that zero damage to the airways was discovered.  In other words, if it’s even barely detectable in the urine, it’s causing genetic damage.

So yes, even just secondhand smoke is dangerous.  Unless, of course, you have a relatively casual attitude toward genetic damage.   Then, no worries.

But for the rest of us, I think it’s safe to say we’d like to keep our genes intact.  So step outside if you want to puff away, smokers.  And don’t think you’re off the hook health-wise if you’re just sneaking one in from time to time… Biology is always watching!

Source article:http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/hsn/studyfindsevenalittlecigarettesmokeharmsairway