I don't thinks so. The cardiologists and surgeons never told me that because, I never smoked a day in my life and I know of many others that didn't either. I am not really sure where you got that statistic. Sure its a major liability for those that do. Its also one of the first things mentioned when looking at a list of things to do which is frustrating for those that never did it in the 1st place along with already doing 4 out 6 things mentioned such as cardio and diet etc.