What constitutes a light smoker?

Light smoking is defined as smoking five or fewer cigarettes per day. It can also mean skipping cigarettes some days and picking one up occasionally. “Light smokers may not consider their occasional habit as harmful. They may not even consider themselves smokers. But no cigarette comes without risk,” notes Dr. Lee.

Is light smoking as bad as heavy smoking?

Light and intermittent smoking, or social smoking, is better for you than heavy smoking. But it still increases the risks of heart disease, lung cancer, cataract, and a host of other conditions. Quitting smoking completely is the best option for long-term health.

Why do smokers weigh less?

In the short term, nicotine increases energy expenditure and could reduce appetite, which may explain why smokers tend to have lower body weight than do nonsmokers and why smoking cessation is frequently followed by weight gain.

What is considered a regular smoker?

Every day smoker: An adult who has smoked at least 100 cigarettes in his or her lifetime, and who now smokes every day. Previously called a “regular smoker”. From 1991 on, a quit attempt was more quantitatively defined as having stopped smoking for one day or longer with the intention of quitting.

Are smokers thinner?

But smokers are, on average, skinnier than nonsmokers. New research reveals how nicotine, the active ingredient in cigarettes, works in the brain to suppress smokers’ appetites. The finding also pinpoints a new drug target for nicotine withdrawal—and weight loss.

What is the difference between a light and heavy smoker?

But there is no formal category in any textbook or a group that defines a light, average, or heavy smoker. In general, a light smoker is someone who smokes less than 10 cigarettes per day. Someone who smokes a pack a day or more is a heavy smoker. An average smoker falls in between.

How many sticks a day is considered a Light smoker?

My definition of a light smoker would be 1 – 2 sticks a day, 3 at most. Any more than that (I believe) is already excessive.

What is the difference between a regular smoker and an every-day smoker?

Usually refers to cigarette smoke in the environment of a nonsmoker. Every day smoker:An adult who has smoked at least 100 cigarettes in his or her lifetime, and who now smokes every day. Previously called a “regular smoker”.

What is the definition of a current smoker?

Current smoker:An adult who has smoked 100 cigarettes in his or her lifetime and who currently smokes cigarettes. Beginning in 1991 this group was divided into “everyday” smokers or “somedays” smokers. Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS):Also called second-hand smoke. Inhaling ETS is called passive smoking.