May 22, 2003
"Passive smoking: who cares about the facts?"
The Age summarizes recent research which proves, rather conclusively, that second-hand smoke does not significantly harm others, and further, that these studies have been ignored simply because they don't fit the agenda of the anti-smoking crowd.
It was a rare good news story in an otherwise grim week. A landmark study into the effects of inhaling other people's smoke revealed that fears that passive smoking kills are unfounded.
After studying the health of tens of thousands of people married to smokers, US researchers found they face no significant extra risk of lung cancer or heart disease. It may sting your eyes, take your breath away and make your clothes smell, but other people's cigarette smoke will not kill you.
Interesting article, which supports the belief that the campaign against smokers (not smoking) is more about controlling people's behavior, and some sort of misguided political correctness, than it is about health. It probably won't change people's minds though. People need a scapegoat and smokers are a convenient one.
