MacRaven - Dave Haxton's Weblog

Wed, 15 Nov 2006

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke causes respiratory symptoms in healthy adults

OK, boys, here's the question: if smoking rates are going down (and they are), and smoking in public places is being banned (and it is), and if other forms of air pollution are vastly reduced from previous levels (and they are), why are we suffering from an asthma epidemic?

Wouldn't it be logical to see a decline in rates of COPD as we "improve" the environment by eliminating not only second hand tobacco smoke, but air pollution, dust, fungi and molds from habitats? Yet we're clearly seeing an increase in such disorders.

Could it be that our ultra clean, smoke free and disinfected urban environments are actually contributing to the problem, rather than being the solution? I'm always pounding the table that "correlation does not equal causation", but you have to admit that there is a startling correlation between the rise of the anti-tobacco movement and the increase in asthma.

Inquiring minds want to know: but who'll fund the study? And if the study showed a real link, who'd dare publish it in this political climate?

Over time, inhaling environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) -- a process often called "passive smoking" -- can cause otherwise healthy adults to develop chronic respiratory symptoms.

(link) [EurekAlert!]

/Politics | 5 writebacks | permanent link

On 11/15/2006 17:41:04
Analemma wrote

I'm inclined to think that the rise in asthma is due to all the chemicals that pervade the modern world that humans haven't yet had the chance to adapt to, and not necessarily to any one of them except maybe in particular cases. Incidentally, have any of these researchers compared the differences between exposure to smoke from natural vs. chemically treated tobacco? The rise may also simply be due to asthma being in people's minds more, so they are more likely to have their kids tested - and therefore diagnosed - than in times past. Today when I walked into work the entire building smelled like fingernail polish. Even my students commented on the strange smell. Apparently that's completely normal and to be expected nowadays. The college is trying to ban all tobacco use on campus but "safe" chemicals, like the cleaners they use in the bathroom that make my lungs burn, are used extensively. I can't decide whether it's scapegoating, political correctness, heads in the sand, or just plain stupidity to blame. Ok, I'll stop ranting now. Sorry :)

On 11/15/2006 20:34:18
wrote

More awareness is

a very likely reason the data are different than expected, as Analemma points out. There are probably many other reasons too. This is a complex system. Big pharma has certainly done as much as it can to raise awareness of disease states. I can suggest a study for you Dave and it won't cost you a penny. In fact it would save money. You could plan a 2 or 3 mile run which you do say 2 or 3 times a week. When you start this exercise you could stop smoking and keep a record of your times. After your times stabilize you could return to your old smoking habit and see what happens to the times. Include hills in your route. For cyclists hills tell the tale of fitness. I expect the same is true for runners. My guess is the times will increase as you return to smoking unless you don't wait long enough for your lungs to clear. I know this doesn't address the issue of second hand smoke, but Dave, I have never seen a post on this blog that admits smoking is a health hazard, second hand or otherwise. I have an acquaintance who did this experiment using cycling and noticed a definite difference in lung capacity between smoker and non-smoker. Again as Analemma points out there may be other factors that are just as hazardous as smoking. Hey ya gotta start somewhere. I'll certainly avoid second hand smoke as much as I can.

On 11/15/2006 21:10:06
Dave H wrote

Smokin'

You said that you've "never seen a post on this blog that admits smoking is a health hazard, second hand or otherwise." And you won't. Because I'm not convinced it is. As far as experimenting on myself, well, that's rather unscientific, don't you think? But as a matter of record, I do walk better than 2 miles every day - and in the winter I carry two ten gallon buckets of water better than half a mile (over four trips). Last checkup I had I was in excellent health, although I did get the mandatory smoking lecture as I do smoke about a pack a day. I break down a buy cigarettes sometimes, but try to roll my own out of a more natural tobacco than is found in commercial smokes, as I'm leery of the processing they put it through. As I am of meats, poultry and some veggies. I *like* smoking - I enjoy the mild buzz and the slight psychotropic effects. I'm pushing 50 - statistically, I've got another 20 years or so. Why should I give up something I enjoy so much to extend my life a few extra years? To avoid a horrible death from some insidious cancer? Dude, I've seen death many, many times, and I can assure you one thing: they're *all* horrible. My personal "least favorite mode of death" is to be crushed and pinned in an auto accident, slowly bleeding to death while the fire crews try to pry me free. But I still drive. Every day. And right now it's time for another cigarette.... Thanks for the comments and Be well, Dave H.

On 11/16/2006 06:00:49
wrote

If you enjoy smoking

great. If you are making a trade off of enjoyment now for possible early demise later, no problem. However an experiment on yourself might be more scientific than you expect. I know several "mature" athletes who discovered cardio problems because their times were falling. If you did my proposed experiment at least you'd have one data point to back up your arguments.... assuming your times didn't fall when you resumed smoking. Good for you on the two miles a day walk and liftiing and such. Also I'm glad to hear you are in perfect health. I do have to mention a 2 mile walk ain't a 2 mile run. In terms of cardio vascular there is a world of difference. If you are concerned about the effect of running on your joints substitute some other form of low impact exercise that has a some sort of measure. Time for distance is a good one. By the way the main objection I have to cigarettes is the smell. I do however will accept any health benefit that might be derived from not smoking and avoiding second hand smoke. I avoid second hand smoke the way I'd avoid someone passing gas. Sometimes you can't avoid it though.

On 11/16/2006 06:49:32
Arwin wrote

Oops

When I said falling times I meant increasing times in the previous post. I guess you can tell I'm not a runner or a competitive cyclist.

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