Peter Karavas would light up at least 50 times a day.
That nearly cost him his life. He had a heart attack at the age of 37.
Mr Karavas' wife, Veronika Monika, says seeing her husband go through such an episode was difficult.
Mr Karavas’ case is unusual given his age.
But a lead researcher from the ANU Professor Emma Banks says the study, considered one of the most in-depth in the world, has highlighted just how dangerous smoking is to the cardiovascular system.
Researchers followed nearly 190,000 people over a seven-year period. They looked at 36 different kinds of cardiovascular diseases ...
... And discovered smoking caused more than 11,000 coronary heart hospitalisations a year.
But Professor Banks says one of the most alarming results revealed was that even if someone considers themselves to be a light smoker, the health impacts can be devastating.
CEO of the Cancer Council Todd Harper says more needs to be done to help people kick a habit that costs the health system nearly two billion dollars every year.
The Heart Foundation's Bill Stavreski is calling for the anti-smoking campaigns of the past to be resurrected.
Quitting by the age of 45 could eliminate up to 90 per cent of the risk.
But the message from reformed smoker Peter Karavas is simple:
"Smoking is very dangerous and if you don’t find the time for it (quitting) now and find the effort now, you will pay for it later."
Listen to the feature in Bangla in the audio player above.
