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Smokers Ignorant of Heart Risks, Study Finds
17 Aug
Summary
- Most smokers know about lung cancer link but not cardiovascular risks.
- Knowledge of smoking's heart attack and stroke links remains low.
- Awareness of secondhand smoke risks has declined in some high-income nations.
Decades of public health campaigns have failed to fully inform smokers about the severe cardiovascular dangers of tobacco use. A new study reveals that while over 90% of smokers recognize the link between smoking and lung cancer, a substantial portion remains unaware of its connection to heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers analyzed data from over 240,000 smokers globally. Their findings indicate that knowledge about smoking's contribution to heart disease and heart attacks is around 80%, with only 70% aware of its link to strokes. Alarmingly, awareness of secondhand smoke's risks has actually declined in several high-income nations, including Canada, the United States, and Japan.
Lead researcher Janet Chung-Hall expressed deep concern over these knowledge gaps, particularly regarding cardiovascular harms, which cause over 2 million deaths worldwide annually. Experts emphasize that increasing public awareness of these risks should be a greater public health priority. Stronger, sustained public education campaigns, including pictorial warnings and media initiatives, are recommended to encourage quitting and prevent young people from starting.
