About 56% of men who suffered heart attack were current smokers: Study
The 2025 World No Tobacco Day campaign, led by the World Health Organization (WHO), is themed, 'Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products.' This year's focus is on revealing the deceptive strategies used by the tobacco and nicotine industries to make their products appear attractive, particularly to young people.
Prof Rajesh Vijayvergiya, Department of Cardiology at PGI, emphasises the role of cardiologists in promoting tobacco cessation to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
He advocates for integrating cessation support into routine cardiac care and raising awareness about tobacco's heart health risks.
Smoking contributes to 20% of all cardiovascular-related deaths. Smokers face a two to four times higher risk of developing coronary heart disease compared to non-smokers.
While most people associate smoking with lung cancer and respiratory diseases, few recognise that heart disease is among the most common and deadly consequences of tobacco use.
Every cigarette elevates blood pressure, injures blood vessels, and increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. According to the latest data, 38% of Indian men consume tobacco, 29% in urban areas and 43% in rural areas.
Overall, 28.6% of the Indian population currently uses tobacco in either smoked or smokeless forms. This includes 42.4% of men and 14.2% of women. Tobacco use, particularly smoking, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
According to Prof Vijayvergiya, a recent study revealed that approximately 56% of men who suffered a myocardial infarction (heart attack) were current smokers. Smoking is associated with an earlier onset of coronary artery disease and a greater severity of the condition. In India, the median age of myocardial infarction is 53 years, significantly younger than the global average of 58.1 years.
The impact of passive smoking
Even passive (second-hand) smoke exposure raises the risk of heart disease by 25-30% and stroke by 20-30%. In non-smokers, second-hand smoke can cause coronary heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and other serious conditions. It also leads to reproductive health issues in women (such as low birth weight in newborns) and increases the risk of respiratory infections, ear infections, and asthma attacks in children. Harmful effects can begin within just 60 minutes of exposure and persist for hours.
The myth of 'safer' alternatives
The rise of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices is especially concerning, says Prof Vijayvergiya. Despite being marketed as safer, these products often contain nicotine, toxic metals, and harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and acrolein. For instance, acrolein concentration in an e-cigarette user's lungs can be up to 320 times higher than the EPA's safe limit. These substances damage arteries, promote inflammation, and increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias. Hookahs, cigars, and pipes are equally dangerous, as these expose users to high levels of carbon monoxide, nicotine, and carcinogens, increasing the risks of stroke and heart disease.
Air pollution and cardiovascular health
While tobacco remains a major modifiable risk factor, air pollution — particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5) — is a significant, often under-recognised threat to heart health. PM2.5 from vehicles, industry, and stubble burning induces oxidative stress and inflammation, contributing to cardiovascular disease.
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