A recent study found that certain substances in tobacco can cause genetic damage within a few minutes -- rather than months, according to media reports Wednesday.
The long term impact of smoking, from heart disease to a range of cancers, is well known.
This study suggests the damage begins just moments after the first cigarette is smoked.
The study shows that the DNA damage associated with lung and other types of cancer become apparent within 15-30 minutes of inhaling cigarette smoke. It is a time frame that surprise even the researchers.
Smoking is to blame for about 90 percent of lung cancers and is linked to at least 18 other types of cancer.
Lung cancer claims 3,000 lives worldwide each day, mostly as a result of cigarette smoking.
Anti-smoking charity Ash described the research as "chilling" and as a warning that it is never too early to quit.
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