Even One Cigarette Every Once In A While Could Be Harmful

If you think one cigarette now and then won't do any harm -- think again.
A new study out of Canada's McGill University says smoking just one cigarette can stiffen arteries by 25%.
Doctors measured arterial stiffness in smokers and non-smokers between 18 and 30 at rest and after exercise.
After exercise, non-smokers saw artery stiffness decrease.
But when smokers had just one cigarette, stiffness increased nearly 25%.
Researchers say this shows smoking just a few cigarettes a day impacts the health of our arteries.
They say damaged arteries can compromise our bodies ability to cope with physical stress, like climbing stairs or running to catch a bus.
Stiff arteries are also a symptom of atherosclerosis, a build-up of fatty acids and a type of heart disease.
They've also been linked to mental decline.
Researchers presented the study to a meeting of the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress.