Smoking cigarettes is one of the leading causes of death in the world, and it has been proven that the more you smoke, the higher your risk of developing health problems like lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

But have you ever wondered whether smoking five cigarettes a day is less damaging than smoking a full pack? A recent study has shed some light on this topic, and the results are surprising.

The Study

The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, analyzed the smoking habits of over 5,000 participants who had been smoking for at least 30 years.

The participants were divided into two groups: those who smoked only five cigarettes a day and those who smoked a full pack. The researchers then measured a number of different health outcomes, including lung function, cancer risk, and overall mortality.

Lung Function

One of the most significant findings of the study was that smokers who smoked only five cigarettes a day had significantly better lung function than those who smoked a full pack.

Specifically, the researchers found that the average FEV1 (a measure of lung function) was 98% in the group that smoked five cigarettes a day, compared to only 85% in the group that smoked a full pack. This suggests that smoking fewer cigarettes may help preserve lung function over time.

Cancer Risk

Another significant finding of the study was that smokers who smoked only five cigarettes a day had a lower risk of developing lung cancer than those who smoked a full pack.

Specifically, the researchers found that the risk of developing lung cancer was 30% lower in the group that smoked only five cigarettes a day. This suggests that smoking fewer cigarettes may help reduce the risk of lung cancer.

Overall Mortality

Despite the better lung function and lower cancer risk in the group that smoked only five cigarettes a day, the study found that both groups had a similar overall mortality rate.

This suggests that smoking even a small number of cigarettes can still be harmful to your health and increase your risk of premature death.

Other Health Risks

The study also found that smoking a full pack of cigarettes a day was associated with a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.

While the difference in risk between the two groups was not as pronounced as it was for lung cancer and lung function, it still suggests that smoking fewer cigarettes may be better for overall health.

Conclusion

While the study does suggest that smoking only five cigarettes a day may be less damaging to your health than smoking a full pack, it is important to note that even smoking a small number of cigarettes can still be harmful.

If you are a smoker, quitting smoking or reducing your cigarette intake is the best way to protect your health and reduce your risk of developing life-threatening health problems.