India, July 19 -- Taking a quick smoke break is part of the regular working hours for many people. And in the middle of a busy day, a cigarette or a helping of chewing tobacco can seem harmless, especially when woven into tea breaks, office conversations and social gatherings.

However, according to surgical oncologist Dr Vineet Kaul, these seemingly brief habits trigger a chain of irreversible health problems that extend far beyond stained teeth or bad breath.

In an interaction with HT Lifestyle, Dr Kaul explained how tobacco use silently damages the body over the years, often showing symptoms only when complications become severe. They can cause health issues ranging from breathing disorders to heart disease and oral cancer.

There is ...