Smoking and disease

Abstract

A historical overview about the origins of smoking is presented. The first inkling that tobacco was definitely harmful to health came from two American retrospective surveys published in 1950, but it was only in 1953 that these reports received widespread publicity in the Press and the general public was at last made aware that there might be a relation between smoking and disease. The main abnormalities deriving from pulmonary diseases relating to smoking such as bronchitis and lung cancer are outlined, also indicating that cigarette, pipe and cigar smokers have a four-fold higher risk of dying from cancer of the mouth, larynx, and esophagus than non-smokers. Other diseases related to smoking are the cancer of the bladder and the detrimental effects of smoking to the fetus during pregnancy. A list of countries which have already abandoned their neutrality and have risen to the responsibilities by banning the advertising of cigarettes on television and radio in various ways is given. Furthermore, preventive measures and ways to discourage smoking are delineated.