You only smoke at parties? Here's why social smoking is still smoking and harmful to your health

Most individuals who smoke only during parties, on the weekends, or when hanging out with their friends do not think of themselves as being smokers. The notion of social smokers gives people a false feeling of security about their health since they assume that social smoking does not cause any harm. From a medical perspective, however, social smoking remains smoking, and even an occasional use of cigarettes can be dangerous for health.

There is no such thing as a safe level of smoking

One of the biggest myths regarding smoking is that it is completely harmless to smoke just several cigarettes per week. Tobacco smoke consists of thousands of chemicals that are known to increase cancer risks and harm human health. Thus, even a minimum amount of cigarettes affects the health.

The research evidence shows that a single cigarette per day already doubles the likelihood of developing heart diseases in comparison with nonsmokers. The body of smokers does not perceive differences in how frequently a person uses cigarettes.

Your heart and blood vessels will be impacted right away

The adverse effects of smoking begin right away. The nicotine speeds up your heartbeat and raises your blood pressure. On the other hand, chemicals found in cigarette smoke will cause damage to the cells lining the blood vessels, potentially leading to a condition called atherosclerosis, where arteries narrow and harden, posing a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Even social smoking will affect the blood vessels' ability to contract normally and decrease the supply of oxygen to important body organs.

Social smokers risk becoming addicted to nicotine

Many people think that they have full control over their smoking, even though they do not smoke regularly. Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances there is. Starting with a one-time cigarette in a social setting can become a habit in no time.

Your lungs take no holiday

Social smokers might think that their lungs will heal themselves after each round of smoking. Sadly, each time one smokes, they cause an inflammatory reaction within the bronchial tubes as well as exposing the lungs to dangerous substances. Such exposure might lead to poor functioning of the lungs and also to chronic respiratory illnesses.

Although social smoking does not sound like something to be scared of, it does not mean that there is no such thing as a safe way to smoke. Social smoking damages the heart, the bloodstream, the lungs, and the entire person. It is best to quit smoking altogether and allow the body to heal itself.

Dr. Aravind Badiger, Technical Director, BDR Pharmaceuticals