text: is smoking 5 cigs a day really that harmful? i recently had surgery and was smoking a pack and a half a day. i have had problems lately with one of the incisions healing and the doc said to stop smoking.....it is just so hard....obviously 5 is better than 30 but will 5 do that much harm? you are right... 5 is better than 30.  30 is better than 40.  none is the best.  i smoked and then only had 1 cigarette in july each year.  the mistake about it all is that unlike eating which you can't stop, smoking can be.   my doctor explained the problem as the effects of one cigarette might be to elevate your blood pressure by constricting your blood vessels.   not good if you have high blood pressure since the problems compound.    if 5 did no harm, how could 5 cigarettes taken 6 times a day hurt you?   leave them if you are strong enough and they don't control your life.... quit