More than 30 years ago, before Dr. Luther L. Terry, the then American medical director, published the first report on smoking and health in his office, thousands of articles had discussed the influence of smoking on human body.
[2] Tobacco companies have refuted these reports that show the link between smoking and cancer and other serious diseases, and they have conducted denial and competing studies.
[3] Therefore, in 1964, Terry and his Advisory Committee on Smoking and Health knew that when they announced that "smoking is harmful to health, which has attracted enough attention in the United States and requires appropriate remedial measures", they were entering a big pit of debate.
[4] This is the first time that the United States has widely publicized that smoking can cause serious diseases.
[5] But this problem has not been solved in 1964, nor in 1997, despite the fact that thousands of studies have been carried out-and lawsuits have forced at least one tobacco company to admit what some activists have long known: smoking is harmful to health.
[6] More than 30 years later, in more than 20 reports of medical directors, it seems that this problem is more and more inclined to be solved in court, rather than in the laboratory.
[1] More than 30 years ago, before Dr. Luther L. Terry, then the director of the US Health Bureau, published his first report on smoking and health since he took office, thousands of articles on the impact of smoking on human health had been published.
[2] Tobacco companies are resistant to these reports that show the relationship between smoking and cancer and other diseases-denying these reports and presenting competing research reports.
[3] So, in 1964, Terry and his Advisory Committee on Smoking and Health understood that when they announced that "smoking is harmful to health, people in the United States should pay enough attention to it and it is necessary to take appropriate remedial measures", they stepped into a controversial pit.
[4] It was the first time in America that it was widely publicized that smoking would cause serious diseases.
[5] But this problem has not been solved in 1964, and it has not been solved in 1997, although thousands of studies have been done-and the lawsuit has forced at least one tobacco company to admit what some anti-smoking activists have said, which is actually what they have always understood: smoking is harmful to human health.
[6] In the past 30 years, more than 20 health bureau directors have submitted reports. Since then, the problem seems to be solved in court, not in the laboratory.
So what are the risks? Here's what tobacco critics say:
cancer
[7] According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15 1322 people die of cancer every year in the United States. Most of these people-116920-come from lung cancer. According to the CDC, men who smoke are 22 times more likely to die of lung cancer than non-smokers. Women who smoke are 12 times more likely to die of the disease than men.
[8] Statistical studies have long shown that non-smokers live longer than smokers, and scientists have seen the correlation between smoking and the incidence of lung cancer since the 1950s.
[9] But earlier this year, a study by Gerd Pfeifer of Beckman Institute identified specific carcinogens in cigarette smoke, which targeted certain parts of a gene that is known to be prominent in some cancers.
[10] Pfeifer wrote in the journal Science that smoking can lead to changes in p53 gene, which can prevent cancer under normal circumstances, but can promote the growth of cancer when mutated.
According to another study published by the American Cancer Society, low-tar cigarettes can't alleviate the potential cancer. In fact, they are the culprit of a cancer that goes deep into lung tissue.
Other cancers can also be affected by cigarette smoke. A researcher from the American Cancer Society reported earlier this year that smoking increases the risk of men dying from prostate cancer, while other studies have linked tobacco use to an increased risk of other cancers, including laryngeal, breast and intestinal cancers.
So what are the hazards of smoking? Or listen to tobacco critics:
cancer
[7] According to the data of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking is the chief culprit leading to the death of 15 1322 cancer patients in the United States every year. Most of these deaths-116990 people died of lung cancer. According to the data of the Center for Disease Control, male smokers are 22 times more likely to die of lung cancer than non-smokers. The probability of female smokers dying of lung cancer is 12 times that of non-smokers.
[8] Statistical data research has long shown that non-smokers live longer than smokers, and since the 1950s, scientists have discovered the correlation between smoking and the incidence of lung cancer through statistical data.
[9] Earlier this year, a study by Gerd pfeiffer of Beckman Institute accurately pointed out the carcinogens inherent in cigarette smoke. These carcinogens attack certain parts of genes, which are found to be prominent in some cancers.
[10] Pfajfer wrote in the journal Science that smoking has changed the p53 gene, which plays an anti-cancer role under normal circumstances, but when it mutates, it will accelerate the development of cancer.
[1 1] Another research report published by the American Cancer Society says that cigarettes with low nicotine content can't reduce the possibility of cancer, but they are actually the chief culprit of a cancer that enters the deep tissues of the lungs.
Other cancers can also be affected by smoking. Earlier this year, a study by the American Cancer Society showed that smoking increased the risk of men dying from prostate cancer, while other studies linked smoking to the increased risk of other cancers, including laryngeal, breast and colon cancer.
Cardiovascular disease
[13] Smoking has been linked to cardiovascular diseases again and again. Among them, the biggest killer is heart disease: according to CDC data, smoking has tripled the risk of middle-aged men and women dying of heart disease.
[14] Research also shows that the risk of death from stroke, aneurysm, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases increases.
Respiratory diseases
[15] Smoking is considered as a risk of dying from pneumonia, chronic bronchitis or emphysema. According to the CDC, the risk of smokers dying from bronchitis and emphysema has increased by nearly 10 times.
Other diseases
[16] A recent report published in the American Journal of Epidemiology showed that smoking increased the risk of developing non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) by more than three times.
[17] Research shows that smoking can lead to blindness, mental disorders in old age, Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
Effect on pregnancy
[18] Pregnant women who smoke can transmit nicotine and carbon monoxide to the fetus through the placenta. Studies have shown that this may prevent babies from getting the oxygen and nutrition they need for growth, which may lead to fetal injury, premature birth or low birth weight. According to the statistics of American Lung Association, it is estimated that 20% to 30% of low birth weight infants, up to 14% of premature births and about 10% of all infant deaths are caused by smoking during pregnancy.
cardiovascular disease
[13] Smoking is repeatedly associated with cardiovascular diseases, and the biggest killer is heart disease. According to CDC data, smoking tripled the risk of middle-aged male and female smokers dying of heart disease.
[14] Studies have also shown that the risk of death from stroke, aneurysm, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases has also increased.
Respiratory diseases
[15] Smoking is considered as a hidden danger leading to death from pneumonia, chronic bronchitis or emphysema. According to CDC data, the risk of smokers dying of bronchitis and emphysema is nearly 10 times higher than that of non-smokers.
Other diseases
[16] A report recently published in the American Journal of Epidemiology shows that smoking can increase people's risk of developing non-insulin-dependent diabetes by more than three times.
[17] Studies have pointed out that smoking may lead to blindness, senile brain injury, Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. Effect of smoking on pregnancy
[18] Pregnant women who smoke will pass nicotine and carbon monoxide to the fetus through the placenta. Studies have shown that this will deprive the fetus of oxygen and nutrition needed for development, which may cause harm to the fetus and lead to premature delivery or underweight. According to the American Lung Association, 20% to 30% of underweight babies, as many as 65,438+04% of premature births and about 65,438+00% of infant deaths are caused by smoking during pregnancy. Mothers who smoke may also pass nicotine to their babies through breastfeeding.
Secondhand smoke
These studies not only point out the bad effects of smoking on smokers-non-smokers are also obviously influenced by friends, family members and strangers who light cigarettes in front of them.
[20] A steady stream of reports records the statistical risk of cancer or heart disease, even if you never put a cigarette to your lips.
[2 1] The American Heart Association released a seven-year study last fall, which showed that the spouse of a smoker who never smoked was more than 20% more likely to die of coronary heart disease than those who never smoked with a smoker. That study further promoted the movement to ban smoking in workplaces and other public places.
[22] Research shows that smoking also has a great influence on smokers' children. Dr Claude hanet, a doctor at St Luc University Hospital in Brussels, said earlier this year that babies born to smoking mothers "should be regarded as former smokers".
[23] hanet's research warns that the younger you are, the greater the harm of smoking.
[24] A study published in the British Journal of Cancer by the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom shows that fathers who smoke may be related to the increase in cancer incidence of their children, while studies in the United States show that smoking may be related to DNA damage.
passive smoking
[19] This study not only points out the harm of smoking to smokers themselves, but also points out that non-smokers are obviously hurt by friends, family members or strangers who smoke in front of them.
[20] Continuous reports prove through statistics that even if you never smoke, you are at risk of cancer or heart disease.
[2 1] Last autumn, the American Heart Association published a seven-year research report, which pointed out that although the spouses of smokers never smoked, compared with those who lived with non-smokers, their risk of dying of coronary heart disease was 20% higher. This survey has further promoted the development of anti-smoking activities in workplaces and public places.
[22] The survey also shows that the children of smokers are also deeply influenced by smoking. Earlier this year, Dr Claude hanet of Sanluca University Hospital said that children born to smoking mothers "should be regarded as people with a history of smoking".
[23] hanet's research has attracted people's attention: the younger you are, the greater the harm of smoking.
[24] A report published in the British Journal of Cancer by the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom shows that smoking by fathers may be related to the rising cancer rate of their children; At the same time, American research shows that smoking may be related to DNA damage.
Secondhand smoke
be addicted to
[25] Of all the diseases related to smoking, addiction is perhaps the least valued. But President Clinton declared nicotine an addictive drug last August. In March this year, Liegert Group, which produces chesterfield and lark brand cigarettes, admitted that cigarettes are addictive and cause cancer, and agreed to pay about 750 million US dollars to 22 states, which filed lawsuits to require tobacco companies to pay medical subsidies for smoking-related diseases.
[26] Scott Hashbagh, Attorney General of Massachusetts and President of the National Association of Attorneys General, told reporters that the deal with Liegert Group "will provide information that major tobacco companies are fully aware that the products they sell are addictive and that the products they sell have a great impact on public health".
[27] Other tobacco companies are obviously not interested in the Liegert Group's transaction. For them, nicotine is still what they call a harmless flavor enhancer.
The desire to smoke
[25] Of all the diseases related to smoking, perhaps the most easily overlooked is smoking addiction. However, in August last year, President Clinton announced that nicotine was an addictive narcotic drug. In March this year (referring to 2000-editor's note), Liegert Group, which produces chesterfield and lark brand cigarettes, admitted that smoking is addictive and causes cancer, and agreed to pay a total of 750 million US dollars in compensation to 22 states. These 22 states filed lawsuits, demanding that tobacco companies pay compensation to the Medicaid system for the treatment of smoking-related diseases.
[26] Scott Hashberg, Attorney General of Massachusetts and Chairman of the National Association of Attorneys General, told reporters that the handling of Liegert Group "will bring a message that big tobacco companies are fully aware that the products they sell are addictive and that the products they sell have a great impact on public health".
[27] Obviously, none of the other tobacco companies are interested in handling the Liegert Group. For them, nicotine is still what they call a harmless flavor enhancer.