Many smokers still miss major health risks

A new study has found that public understanding of the health risks of smoking has improved only slightly over the past 20 years.

Researchers studied more than 240,000 smokers from 46 countries. Most participants knew that smoking can cause lung cancer.  However far fewer were aware that smoking can also greatly increase the risk of heart disease heart attacks and strokes.

Gaps in public awareness

The study also found that many smokers do not fully understand the dangers of secondhand smoke.  They may not know that breathing in someone else’s cigarette smoke can also increase the risk of heart disease heart attacks and strokes.

The research was published in the journal BMJ Open. Researchers said that despite health warnings on cigarette packs tobacco control policies and years of public awareness campaigns important gaps in knowledge still remain.

Heart risks often overlooked

Lead author Janet Chung Hall, a scientist with the University of Waterloo’s International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project said the lack of awareness about the serious effects of smoking and secondhand smoke is concerning.

Experts estimate that smoking related heart and blood vessel diseases cause more than two million deaths worldwide every year. The researchers say stronger public health campaigns are needed to help people understand that smoking does not only damage the lungs.

It can also seriously affect the heart and blood vessels. Better awareness of these risks could encourage more smokers to quit and help reduce the harmful effects of tobacco on both smokers and people around them.