600,000 Die from Second-hand Smoke Yearly

[Doc Alan]

It's common sense that frequent passive smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer, ischaemic heart disease, asthma and chest infections. But every one of these conditions has other causes. Conversely not all active smokers get cancer, never mind the other diseases.
The "600,000 deaths" headline is scare tactics by the WHO and those who quote them. The small print tells us that 379,000 deaths from ischaemic heart disease is an "estimate". Maybe it was 380,000 then ... They don't say how the other known risk factors were ruled out. It can be hard enough to do that with active smokers. I'm not defending passive (or active) smoking. But I'm not convinced that figures for worldwide deaths which can't be proved, or other scare tactics like pictures of lung cancer on cigarette packets, are the best way to reduce worldwide smoking.

[Steve.r]

Interesting look at that Alan, and I guess you, more than anyone has seen the results first hand. I often wonder about the 'big brother' warnings and 'scare tactics' that our various governments use to get people to stop smoking.
I dont smoke and never have, but in my early years of life both my parents smoked. I do wonder what damage was done then and how long it takes to heal/recover if at all. I don't like people smoking around me, and get so annoyed when there are signs quite clearly showing no smoking and people still smoke. My most recent annoyance (and I did complain too ) was in Kuwait Airport in the little cafe area there. There were several groups of Arabs smoking right below the signs, no other people were smoking ie: other commuters, so for them I guess the rules are not to be followed, double standards again.
At the end of the day, if everyone were to give up smoking, where would the taxes come from, vicious circle isn't it.

[KeithD]

...... where would the taxes come from, vicious circle isn't it.

The poor stupid

[Doc Alan]

I dont smoke and never have, but in my early years of life both my parents smoked. I do wonder what damage was done then and how long it takes to heal/recover if at all.

As you know, there's plenty advice about the benefits of giving up smoking and how, for many ex-smokers, symptoms soon improve - after a few years the risk for cancer and heart attacks reduces towards those for lifelong non-smokers.
It's harder to say what long term damage has been done by passive smoking as a child. My Dad ( a GP ) was a heavy smoker - yes, he should have known better, but he didn't know when he became addicted to cigarettes what we know now. However, if you are a lifelong non-smoker (like me) then the chances are that you are now at only slightly increased risk.

[stevewool]

the worst bits now i think , is when you try to walk into a shopping centre or pub when lots are just standing outside the doors smoking

[Arthur Little]

the worst bits now i think , is when you try to walk into a shopping centre or pub when lots are just standing outside the doors smoking

Thing IS ... this wholly unsatisfactory state of affairs could've so easily been avoided HAD Governments been willing to compromise and agree to the provision of SEPARATE accommodation - in pubs, clubs, &c. - to cater for Smokers and Non-Smokers alike!

Not only would it be fairer all round ... but another obvious advantage of adopting such a policy, of course, is that there'd be a lot less half-smoked fag ends and other debris lying around outside these premises afterwards.

[Doc Alan]

Thing IS ... this wholly unsatisfactory state of affairs could've so easily been avoided HAD the Government been willing to compromise and agree to the provision of SEPARATE accommodation...

On topic again, and I agree, having heard this many times in the past couple of years, from smokers and non-smokers.
No one doubts the health hazards of smoking - the evidence being stronger for active rather than passive smoking - but it is an addiction, it can't be totally banned, and tackling the problem should be realistic.
My local hospital banned smoking in the grounds, so now smokers jump in their cars, drive to the entrance, park, smoke, discard their cigarettes and drive back to work / visiting patients

[stevewool]

Interesting look at that Alan, and I guess you, more than anyone has seen the results first hand. I often wonder about the 'big brother' warnings and 'scare tactics' that our various governments use to get people to stop smoking.
I dont smoke and never have, but in my early years of life both my parents smoked. I do wonder what damage was done then and how long it takes to heal/recover if at all. I don't like people smoking around me, and get so annoyed when there are signs quite clearly showing no smoking and people still smoke. My most recent annoyance (and I did complain too ) was in Kuwait Airport in the little cafe area there. There were several groups of Arabs smoking right below the signs, no other people were smoking ie: other commuters, so for them I guess the rules are not to be followed, double standards again.
At the end of the day, if everyone were to give up smoking, where would the taxes come from, vicious circle isn't it.

have you had a reply back yet steve

[Doc Alan]

have you had a reply back yet steve

I always reply to Steve.r's posts because if I don't there will be a letter of complaint

[Arthur Little]

have you had a reply back yet steve

Probably he has ... unfortunately it would've been typed in Arabic!

[Steve.r]

Probably he has ... unfortunately it would've been typed in Arabic!

Yes Arthur they said this: نحن دخان حيث نريد لدخان