Study finds no clear link between lung cancer and second hand smoke

[Punch66]

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/study-finds-no-clear-link-between-lung-cancer-and-secondhand-smoke-9004077.html

I remember reading a report about the British doctor in the 1950's (cant remember his name) who pioneered epidemiology in smoking. He was one of (if not the first) to prove a link between smoking and lung cancer. He was a smoker when he started his research but then quit as the results became clear.

In the 1990's he was interviewed and asked about his views on second hand smoke. His answer was that it wouldn't bother him if people smoked near him / in the same room as him, as the effects would be minuscule even over many, many years.

ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) got to hear about this response and gave him an ultimatum - he either publicly retracted the statement on secondhand smoke, or they would withdraw all of his research funding (a lot of money!)

As he had many years of work and research riding on this, he retracted his answer and gave a more ASH friendly view!

Interesting that this has come out now. I doubt it means that we will be able to have a cigar in the pub again though!

[ValeTudoGuy]

Perhaps this won't be a popular opinion here, but I actually agree with a smoking ban in public places.... On the other hand I see no reason why we can't have indoor smoking clubs or designated and appropriately signed indoor smoking areas, well away from children.

[mattyhall22]

Perhaps this won't be a popular opinion here, but I actually agree with a smoking ban in public places.... On the other hand I see no reason why we can't have indoor smoking clubs or designated and appropriately signed indoor smoking areas, well away from children.

I agree or warmer more enclosed smoking areas. Some pubs near me got into trouble as their smoking areas, were too enclosed but they were nice to be in as it wasn't like sitting in a wind tunnel.

I do like being able to go to the pub and not stinking of cigarette smoke tho

[Sgt_Banter]

Perhaps this won't be a popular opinion here, but I actually agree with a smoking ban in public places.... On the other hand I see no reason why we can't have indoor smoking clubs or designated and appropriately signed indoor smoking areas, well away from children.

I agree with everything you've just said here. What I would also say is the people have an agenda. There are a lot of anti-smoking militants twisting or selecting facts out there but there are also people on the opposite side doing the same. I saw this article from Cigar Aficionado for example: http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfe...kescreens_7265

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[PeeJay]

I agree with everything you've just said here. What I would also say is the people have an agenda. There are a lot of anti-smoking militants twisting or selecting facts out there but there are also people on the opposite side doing the same. I saw this article from Cigar Aficionado for example: http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfe...kescreens_7265

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There was an interesting article in the Mail recently that pointed out that the Treasury wants you to smoke but the NHS doesn't because the amount of taxation gathered is greater by far than the amount spent on treating smoking related ill health.

[Maxsi]

I've always said that if we all stopped smoking today the country and the NHS especially, would be even more in the quagmire.
So far my smoking tax alone has paid for loads of hip replacements and if god forbids I ever get a smoking related illness my national insurance contributions has more than covered that.

[Ethem]

Aren't we all even more proud that our smoking taxes go to boob jobs and other cosmetic surgery

[mrcigar]

I am always aware of the risks involved in smoking, such that I think I'll give it all up one day, even though I only only smoke about 3-4 bowls per week or a cigar every so often (I haven't smoked a cigar for weeks). I'm with ValeTudoGuy here in that I'm pleased that smoking in public places has been banned, but would like to see a relaxing of the law to allow venues dedicated to smoking.
I don't imagine smoking will ever be something of the past, even if a complete ban were enforced. In terms of the government shooting themselves in the foot by making it even more difficult or unappealing to smoke by defacing tobacco packaging, or evening enforcing plain packaging, I'm not so sure this is the case. The taxes imposed on tobacco are 'duty taxes' to cover the costs of tackling smoking related problems and campaigns (historically called sin taxes), and theoretically don't generate revenue. However, despite this, attempts to tax these tobacco-less cigarettes would suggest the contrary.
It is interesting that pipe tobacco is taxed less than cigarette tobacco, and this distinction being in the thickness if the cut, therefore indicating less cost to tackle pipe smoking related diseases. That being the case, cigars should be taxed less due to the fact that the tobacco is not cut at all, except for trimming the leafy to allow rolling the cigar.
In reality, long story short, all tobacco products, whether smoked, taken nasally or orally, present health risks - a damn shame given the pleasure and benefits it provides.
I am very pleased that ,despite having smoked for a couple of years now, I can pick and choose whether to smoke or not to smoke - I'm not a slave to tobacco, and could reduce my smoking or give it up at any time.
The problem for me is that the risk to health is not measurable until it's too late. How do you know what is an acceptable consumption of tobacco?

[Sgt_Banter]

It's a damn shame that all the best things in life are unhealthy

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[PeeJay]

It's a damn shame that all the best things in life are unhealthy

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You're so right, I got a nasty cramp whilst shagging once.

[cigarmo]

You're so right, I got a nasty cramp whilst shagging once.

Chopping up tobacco can be hard work