This is funny on a number of levels. At the same time that anti-tobacco fever has gripped many people, there has been a rise in the number of people screaming for the legalization of marijuana. Many of the same people who cheerfully advocate the denial of rights to smokers are the loudest proponents of the currently illegal marijuana. It's a public health issue, they say. So what if marijuana turned out to be more harmful than tobacco?
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Smoking a joint is equivalent to 20 cigarettes in terms of lung cancer risk, scientists in New Zealand have found, as they warned of an "epidemic" of lung cancers linked to cannabis.
Studies in the past have demonstrated that cannabis can cause cancer, but few have established a strong link between cannabis use and the actual incidence of lung cancer.In an article published in the European Respiratory Journal, the scientists said cannabis could be expected to harm the airways more than tobacco as its smoke contained twice the level of carcinogens, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons, compared with tobacco cigarettes.
The method of smoking also increases the risk, since joints are typically smoked without a proper filter and almost to the very tip, which increases the amount of smoke inhaled. The cannabis smoker inhales more deeply and for longer, facilitating the deposition of carcinogens in the airways.
"Cannabis smokers end up with five times more carbon monoxide in their bloodstream (than tobacco smokers)," team leader Richard Beasley, at the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, said in a telephone interview.
"There are higher concentrations of carcinogens in cannabis smoke … what is intriguing to us is there is so little work done on cannabis when there is so much done on tobacco."
The researchers interviewed 79 lung cancer patients and sought to identify the main risk factors for the disease, such as smoking, family history and occupation. The patients were questioned about alcohol and cannabis consumption.
In this high-exposure group, lung cancer risk rose by 5.7 times for patients who smoked more than a joint a day for 10 years, or two joints a day for 5 years, after adjusting for other variables, including cigarette smoking.
"While our study covers a relatively small group, it shows clearly that long-term cannabis smoking increases lung cancer risk," wrote Beaseley.
Yes, it is a really small study and the results are, at best, questionable until the results are replicated. But there still is an element of high irony. Pun indented.
At least they will be very calm when they die of cancer.
I think we’ve all heard that the idea is to lake a real looooooong drag on it and hooooooooold it in just as loooooooong as you can, thereby giving all that smoke and associated compounds plenty of time to find a really good place to hide out in your lungs. How could that possibly be bad for you? I mean, it’s ORGANIC. Might not be free range, though.
Count me among those who support bans on public smoking, AND legalization of pot. It’s entirely consistent, not at all contradictory. Let people smoke tobacco or pot at home, outdoors, or in designated clubs/cafes, where they’re not bothering anyone. Don’t let people smoke tobacco or pot indoors in most public places, where the drifting smoke ruins the time of those who are sensitive to smoke.
Understand?
I agree with skylights. Too many lives and careers have been injured or ruined because of marijuana arrests. Just have them smoke outside or in designated clubs, bars, etc.
At the other end of the lung cancer spectrum, there is a short article at Fox stating that dairy farmers are 5 times LESS likely to contract lung cancer because of the manure dust they inhale all the time.
I also agree with skylights on all points.
We would see an instant net gain in funds if we were to Legalize and Tax the stuff.
A) A huge amount of money is squandered by Local, State and Fed battling marijuana. That $$ would be put to better use educating folks about the dangers of addiction.
B) Legalizing would result new source of Tax Revenue.
C) It would almost instantly wipe out a large crime element and source of funds for gangs, illegals, and other unsavory types.
D) Law Enforcement, the courts, Jails and Prisons would be less encumbered.
It amazes me that we have a prohibitive attitude towards marijuana. What would be wrong with legalizing it on a trial/temporary basis like 5 or 10 years.
I feel the same way about trial basis for a flat tax.
The problem with legalizing marijuana is in how do you set a limit with regard to driving. Pot works for hours and is proven to impair driving skills. At present , if you are caught with marijuana in your car, you are in big trouble. If it is legalized than presumably you could have marijuana, like an open container, sitting in your car and there would be no penalty.
I don’t want to get rear-ended by someone who had just had a smoke.