Teenage Smoking: Higher Heart Attack Risk, Early Death Confirmed by Study

• A nationwide Korean study links early smoking initiation (under age 20) to significantly increased risks of heart attack, stroke, and premature death.
• Adolescent smoking appears to accelerate cardiovascular damage due to unique biological and behavioral factors during youth.
• The study highlights that starting younger adds extra danger, even if the total lifetime cigarette consumption is the same as someone who started later.
• Risks remain high for those who begin smoking in their early twenties, not just teenagers.
• Prevention efforts targeting youth and young adults are crucial to reduce future cardiovascular events and early deaths.

Why It Matters: Starting smoking in teenage years drastically increases heart attack risk and premature death, regardless of total exposure.