HC Reform Update by Mark Sanna: Middle-aged smokers are far more likely than nonsmokers to develop dementia later in life, and heavy smokers — those who go through more than two packs a day — are at more than double the risk, a new study reports. After adjusting for other factors, the researchers that pack-a-day smokers were 37% more likely than nonsmokers to develop dementia, and the risks went up sharply with increased smoking; 44% for one to two packs a day; and twice the risk for more than two packs.