While most people know about the damage smoking can do to their lungs, many are not aware that it can also cause permanent damage to their heart.
Today is World No Tobacco Day and the Heart Foundation is focussed on spreading the message about the link between smoking and heart disease.
Heart Foundation Northern Territory CEO, Simon Dixon, said smokers are four times more likely to develop heart disease than non-smokers.
""Every cigarette you smoke restricts blood flow and makes your blood stickier, so it is easier for clots to form and cause a heart attack," he said.
Smoking rates in the Territory are higher than anywhere else in Australia.
"In Darwin around 23 per cent of residents are daily smokers and in Katherine it is nearly 30 per cent," said Mr Dixon.
"This is much higher than the national average of 14.5 per cent."
But the health impacts do not stop at the individual smoker.
"For every adult that smokes there are other people around them that are exposed to their smoke, putting their hearts at risk as well," said Mr Dixon.
"We want to see more smoke-free zones in public places to reduce people’s exposure to second-hand smoke," said Mr Dixon.
In 2016 Darwin’s Smith Street Mall was made a smoke-free zone.
"Making the Smith Street Mall smoke-free was a courageous move by the Darwin City Council that has created a much healthier, enjoyable environment for people in the city," said Mr Dixon.
"The Heart Foundation would like to see this happen in more Northern Territory towns and communities."
"Passive smoking is dangerous to all people exposed, particularly children, young people, pregnant women, the elderly and people with chronic disease," said Mr Dixon.
"These people have chosen not to smoke but continue to be at risk due to the smoking habits of others – more smoke-free zones would give them greater protection."
The Heart Foundation will be participating in the Danila Dilba public information stall in the Smith Street Mall on Thursday.
"We are keen to speak to people about what smoking is doing to their health and support communities that want to take action with smoke-free zones."
Simon Dixon is available for interview. ---
