Dr. Phillip Ferdinand, a stroke physician at Royal Stoke University Hospital and Keele University, shares insights on the alarming association between smoking and cryptogenic ischemic strokes in young adults. He discusses how smoking intensity correlates with stroke incidence, particularly in males aged 18 to 49. The conversation touches on rising trends in stroke incidents among younger populations and highlights the importance of evaluating social determinants of health. Ferdinand emphasizes the need for tailored prevention strategies and further research into smoking's impact on stroke outcomes.