A recent medical study reiterates that there is no such thing as a safe level of smoking. The important data show that one to four cigarettes a day can nearly triple the risk of death from heart disease and lung cancer.

"This new study helps to confirm what many scientists, and increasing numbers of smokers, already know: Smoking only a few cigarettes a day can be very damaging to your health," says Thomas J. Glynn, Ph.D., American Cancer Society director of cancer science and trends and international tobacco programs.

"Fortunately, smokers now have a variety of medications and treatments they can use to help them stop smoking, even when they smoke fewer than five cigarettes a day. These medications include the nicotine replacement products such as the gum and patch and the antidepressant bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin). Smokers can also combine their use of medication with counseling from their physician, pharmacist, or a telephone helpline such as the American Cancer Society Quitline at 1-877-YES-QUIT (1-877-937-7848)."