Even Occasional Smoking in Youth Carries Cancer Risk, Study Finds

Islamabad (KNN) — A new study has revealed that so-called “social smoking,” or occasional cigarette use, can cause nearly the same level of damage to the lungs as heavy, long-term smoking.

According to American researchers, current lung cancer screening guidelines fail to identify nearly half of cases because they primarily focus on heavy smokers, while overlooking individuals who smoked intermittently over many years.

The study analyzed data from nearly one million people aged between 50 and 80. The findings showed that long-term smokers appeared at high risk, while individuals with lower “pack-year” smoking histories were often classified as low risk, despite having a significant history of tobacco exposure.

Under existing US guidelines, individuals who have not smoked for 15 years are generally considered ineligible for screening, even if they had previously smoked for many years.

Experts emphasized that smoking in any amount remains one of the leading causes of lung cancer. In the United Kingdom alone, around 50,200 new cases are reported annually, making it one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide.

The study further highlighted that even minimal or occasional smoking can significantly increase long-term lung cancer risk. Researchers also noted that while quitting smoking reduces the risk, it does not eliminate it entirely.