600,000 Die from Second-hand Smoke Yearly

[Doc Alan]

Exhaust fumes, emissions from factory chimneys and industrial waste do cause air pollution ... mainly - though not exclusively - in built-up areas ... most CERTAINLY ...! Cigarette smoke? Hardly!

This is correct. Don't link cigarette smoke with other pollutants ! Just for the record (without giving too much information) I have rarely seen anatomically normal pink lungs in 10,000 postmortem examinations carried out over 35 years in UK and Malaysia. Almost everywhere now there is atmospheric pollution affecting lung function to varying degrees. There are of course occupational lung diseases following exposure to fumes, inorganic and organic dusts, coal dust, and ....worst of all ...asbestos. Lung cancer and asbestos exposure are related. Not all lung cancers are due to smoking (and not all smokers get lung cancer).

[Arthur Little]

I would be happy if the govt.totally banned the sale of cigs, and I'm sure a lot of other smokers would agree with me.

I think the govt SHOULD ban the sale of cigarettes. And COULD ban the sale of cigarettes, if they had the will.

... Gentlemen, that would be totally unfair to those who genuinely enjoy an occasional smoke - like after a satisfying meal ... (Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, for example!) - yet know how to control their tobacco intake. And the various British Parliaments have already gone too far as it is! Whatever happened to freewill? It should be left as a matter of personal choice - so long as it doesn't [directly] interfere with the lives of others who choose not to indulge in the habit. End of ... !

[Doc Alan]

It should be left as a matter of personal choice - so long as it doesn't [directly] interfere with the lives of others who choose not to indulge in the habit. End of ... !

Correct ! I don't condone smoking but I'm not a health fascist. Also I have already made clear that a total ban is impossible and (although not a good reason) would IF implemented cost the country more.

[Sim11UK]

that would be totally unfair to those who genuinely enjoy an occasional smoke - like after a satisfying meal ... (Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, for example!)

I bet he's on 40 a day, these days

[Terpe]

... Gentlemen, that would be totally unfair to those who genuinely enjoy an occasional smoke - like after a satisfying meal ... (Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, for example!) - yet know how to control their tobacco intake. And the various British Parliaments have already gone too far as it is! Whatever happened to freewill? It should be left as a matter of personal choice - so long as it doesn't [directly] interfere with the lives of others who choose not to indulge in the habit. End of ... !

I did not suggest a total ban on availabilty, I suggested a ban on general sales. As long as they would be available on prescription can't see the problem.

[Doc Alan]

I did not suggest a total ban on availabilty, I suggested a ban on general sales. As long as they would be available on prescription can't see the problem.

There are two problems. First, the logistics of GP's writing, and pharmacies dispensing, cigarettes for a quarter of the population. Second, when that proves unworkable, an increase in illegally sold cigarettes which provide no income for the government. A similar argument applies over illegal drugs for which there is also a demand.
However, I am not a politician. Enforcement of policies by a nanny state has its limitations. Health promotion - not threats, scare tactics, and claims which are unscientific like "603,000 deaths from passive smoking" - is the way forward.

[keithAngel]

If your riding a Jeepny in Cebu in the rush hour a bit of passive cigarette smoke is the least of your worries

Mate arrived at the weekend 30 miles looked like he had been down the mines

[Steve.r]

If your riding a Jeepny in Cebu in the rush hour a bit of passive cigarette smoke is the least of your worries

Mate arrived at the weekend 30 miles looked like he had been down the mines

Yep, you are right there Keith.

Back to your postmortem exams Alan, how many times did you ever see pure/clean lungs in your work? is there an age limit where you suddenly find everything starts to go bad?

[Doc Alan]

how many times did you ever see pure/clean lungs in your work? is there an age limit where you suddenly find everything starts to go bad?

Not often, and usually in young people. Pollutants gradually accumulate in most people's lungs over their lifetime. In many cases, including those with a history of passive smoking, it's difficult to ascribe the cause of death to smoke products and / or other pollutants, hence my cynicism about the figures quoted by WHO. Obviously there may be occupational lung disease justifying compensation, or lung cancer in a heavy smoker with no occupational factors, where the cause of death is beyond reasonable doubt.