Washington, Aug 26 : A new study has suggested a direct correlation between smoking and mortality showing that a special gene variant increases the risk of heavy smoking.

The study conducted by the University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen University Hospital demonstrated that smoking was harmful and associated with deadly diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.

According to the study, smoking is associated with premature death, and heavy smokers had a 75 percent higher risk of dying than never-smokers of the same age.

Borge Nordestgaard, professor and chief physician from the University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen University Hospital, said that smokers carrying a special genetic mutation had higher tobacco consumption and they were more affected by smoking.

Smoking gene had no influence on whether one started or quit smoking but if one smoked, the gene will make one smoke more.

The study is published in the International Journal of Epidemiology. (ANI)