Although the prevalence of conventional cigarette smoking in the general population has declined, population growth, as well as persistently high prevalence of smoking in highly populated developing countries, translates into an increasing trend in the absolute number of active smokers [ 3 ].
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The sentences
Conversely, in formerly heavy smokers who reduced cigarette consumption without quitting, only a trend towards decrease in risk of all stroke and myocardial infarction was observed, which did not reach statistical significance.