![\"Young](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/0_GettyImages-2166927086.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDr Jeremy London highlighted the risks during an appearance on The Mel Robbins Podcast<\/p>\n
14:34, 03 Jul 2026Updated 14:34, 03 Jul 2026<\/p>\n
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The surgeon said all organs can be affected (stock photo)(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n
A cardiovascular <\/a>surgeon has explained what he called the ‘worst habit’ that ‘damages every organ’. Dr Jeremy London is a board-certified heart surgeon <\/a>with over 25 years of experience. He has over one million followers on Instagram<\/a>, where he regularly shares educational videos. He has also appeared as a guest on The Mel Robbins Podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n During the podcast, the heart expert was asked to name the ‘number one’ thing he avoids as a surgeon. In response, Dr London said he would never smoke, highlighting the deadly risks associated with the common habit.<\/p>\n During the conversation, the podcast host asked: “As a heart surgeon, what are the things you absolutely avoid?” The surgeon replied: “Smoking is top of the list.”<\/p>\n Dr London explained: “I cannot come up with one single thing that does as much damage to every organ in the body as smoking cigarettes. And look, it’s incredibly addictive, and I know that, and I pass no judgment because I know how difficult it is.<\/p>\n “I’ve been dealing with patients who are chronic smokers for years. I understand that. That doesn’t change the fact that it is the single most dangerous thing you can do for yourself, not to mention the causal relationship with lung cancer, and I could keep going. So it’s probably one, two, and three on the list to begin with.”<\/p>\n According to NHS<\/a> Better Health, smoking can cause heart disease, cancer, vision loss, dementia, and high blood pressure<\/a>, among many other conditions. The health service said: “The good news is your body will start to heal almost immediately after you quit. Within just 20 minutes, your pulse rate will return to normal.<\/p>\n “After eight hours, harmful chemicals like carbon monoxide in your blood will have halved, making room for more oxygen to flow through your body. And after 10 years, your risk of dying from lung cancer is half that of someone who still smokes.”<\/p>\n Help is available to quit smoking (stock photo)(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n Help and support are available for people quitting smoking. The NHS website explains: “Local stop smoking services are free, friendly and can massively boost your chances of quitting for good.<\/p>\n “These services staffed by expert advisers provide a range of proven methods to help you quit. They’ll give you accurate information and advice, as well as professional support, during the first few months you stop smoking.”<\/p>\n![\"use](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/0_GettyImages-1157092742.jpg\")
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