Smoking Risk
The Smoking Risk score estimates the physiological probability of active smoking or significant tobacco exposure based on patterns detected in your facial scan — including microvascular, cardiovascular, and skin-related biomarkers. Smoking is the single most preventable cause of premature death globally, responsible for over 8 million deaths per year. The good news: stopping smoking at any age produces rapid, measurable health improvements.
Normal range
How Vsense measures it
Vsense detects smoking-related physiological signatures through facial rPPG analysis — including microvascular perfusion patterns, skin tone irregularities, and autonomic nervous system markers that correlate with tobacco exposure. This is a wellness estimate, not a clinical smoking test.
How it's scored
Under 30%: Low risk — no strong physiological smoking signature detected. 30–60%: Moderate — some markers consistent with tobacco exposure. Above 60%: High — strong physiological patterns associated with active smoking.
What a high reading means
A high smoking risk score indicates physiological patterns strongly associated with active smoking or heavy tobacco exposure. Smoking damages virtually every organ in the body — it constricts blood vessels, reduces oxygen delivery, accelerates arterial aging, suppresses immunity, and dramatically raises risk of lung cancer, COPD, heart attack, and stroke. The cardiovascular effects are detectable within minutes of smoking; chronic damage accumulates over years.
What a low reading means
A low smoking risk score is positive — it suggests your physiology does not show strong tobacco-exposure signatures. If you do smoke, even a low score reflects some cardiovascular and vascular benefit that will increase further with cessation.
How to improve it
Exercise
- Any aerobic exercise after quitting smoking dramatically accelerates lung recovery and cardiovascular repair
- Walking even 20 minutes daily helps manage nicotine cravings — exercise reduces withdrawal symptoms
- Yoga and breathing exercises help manage the stress and anxiety that drive smoking urges
- Swimming is particularly good for rebuilding lung capacity after smoking cessation
Diet
- Vitamin C (500–1,000mg daily) helps repair oxidative damage from cigarette smoke
- Antioxidant-rich foods (berries, leafy greens, colourful vegetables) counteract free radical damage from tobacco
- Green tea contains EGCG which helps repair lung tissue and reduce inflammation
- Avoid alcohol — it's strongly associated with smoking relapse
- Eat regular meals to prevent the blood sugar drops that trigger smoking cravings
Lifestyle
- Set a quit date and tell others — social accountability dramatically improves success rates
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy (patches, gum, lozenges) doubles quit success rates over willpower alone
- Identify your smoking triggers (stress, coffee, alcohol, social situations) and build replacement habits
- The first 72 hours after quitting are the hardest (peak withdrawal); after 2 weeks, cravings decrease by 90%
- Within 20 minutes of quitting: heart rate drops. Within 12 hours: carbon monoxide clears. Within 1 year: heart disease risk halves.
Natural remedies
- Black pepper essential oil (inhale during cravings) reduces nicotine withdrawal severity in clinical studies
- Lobelia herb (weak nicotine substitute) may ease cravings — consult a pharmacist for appropriate form
- Mindfulness and meditation reduce craving intensity and duration
- St. John's Wort has some evidence for supporting mood during smoking cessation
- Acupuncture has clinical evidence for reducing smoking withdrawal symptoms
Frequently asked questions
How long after quitting does lung function improve?
Within 2 weeks to 3 months, lung function improves by up to 30%. Within 1 year, coughing and breathing difficulty reduce significantly. Full lung recovery can take 10+ years, but improvement begins immediately.
Does second-hand smoke affect my smoking risk score?
Yes — prolonged regular exposure to second-hand smoke can produce similar physiological markers to light smoking. The cardiovascular and vascular effects of passive smoking are well documented, though less severe than active smoking.
What happens to my body when I quit smoking?
20 min: heart rate normalises. 12 hrs: CO levels drop to normal. 2 weeks: circulation improves. 1 month: lung cilia regrow. 1 year: heart attack risk halves. 5 years: stroke risk equals a non-smoker's. 10 years: lung cancer risk halves.
Why is my smoking risk score elevated if I don't smoke?
Heavy passive smoking exposure, some vaping, air pollution, or previous heavy smoking history can produce overlapping physiological signatures. The score reflects detected biomarkers — not a direct tobacco consumption measurement.
Can vaping affect my smoking risk score?
Yes. Vaping (e-cigarettes) produces many of the same vascular, cardiovascular, and autonomic nervous system effects as conventional cigarettes, often detectable through the same physiological markers.
