Brainstem hemorrhage is somewhat related to smoking. For brainstem hemorrhage, smoking acts as a trigger. During the process of smoking, the nicotine in tobacco may cause constriction of the brain's blood vessels, leading to increased blood pressure. When blood pressure rises beyond the blood vessels' ability to regulate themselves, it often induces the vessels to rupture and bleed, resulting in a brainstem hemorrhage. Of course, for brainstem hemorrhage, smoking is just one triggering factor and not the sole cause. For these patients, the majority of cases are largely related to poor lifestyle habits, poor dietary habits, and the individual's underlying vascular conditions.