Don't Be Fooled, Occasional Smoking Can Still Trigger Serious Illness

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Doctor and Technical Director of BDR Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Aravind Badiger, has warned that smoking occasionally can still have a negative impact on health, even though many people consider the habit relatively safe.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle ahead of World No Tobacco Day, Badiger stated that every cigarette contains harmful substances such as nicotine, carbon monoxide, and tar, which can affect the body immediately after inhalation. “Smoking occasionally still means inhaling various harmful substances,” he said.

According to Badiger, the effects of smoking are not always immediately visible, but damage to the body can occur silently. Research shows that occasional smokers still have a higher risk of heart disease compared to people who have never smoked. In addition to increasing blood pressure, the habit of smoking occasionally is also linked to a higher risk of stroke and heart attack. Exposure to toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke can also increase the risk of various types of cancer in the long term.

Badiger added that one of the biggest risks of occasional smoking is the potential for it to develop into a more frequent habit. According to him, nicotine is a highly addictive substance, so the body can quickly develop a dependency and trigger the desire to continue smoking. “Many occasional smokers underestimate how easily the habit can turn into regular cigarette consumption,” he said.

To reduce the health impacts of tobacco use, Badiger advised the public to find other ways to manage stress and emotional pressure without relying on cigarettes. He also encouraged people to understand the health risks posed by occasional smoking and to create smoke-free environments at home and in the workplace.

“It is time to abandon the notion that just a few cigarettes will not cause problems. The fact is, every cigarette has an impact on the body, even if consumed occasionally,” said Badiger. Experts consider stopping the use of all tobacco products to be one of the best steps to maintain heart and lung health and reduce the risk of various chronic diseases in the future.