In this newly revised and updated edition the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) continues to challenge the widely held popular wisdom that "Everyone knows the health hazards of smoking." This popular belief has become the mantra of those who oppose litigation against cigarette companies. It serves as a guiding principle for the people who reject calls for more responsible action on the part of the cigarette industry and for more government oversight of the industry's business practices.
ACSH believes that even in 2003, Americans smokers and nonsmokers alike have only the most cursory understanding of the extent and magnitude of the health risks associated with cigarette smoking as compared with other alleged health risks in the environment.
Some will no doubt be surprised to learn that the list of adverse effects from smoking continues to grow with each passing year. This newly revised edition has culled from the scientific literature conclusive evidence linking cigarette smoking to many more diseases and conditions. Some of the conditions we now link to smoking, which have been revealed since our first edition in 1996, include: various irreversible health effects, metastatic breast cancer, lung hemorrhage, spontaneous pneumothorax, increased severity of rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid lung, uterine cancer, lupus, meningitis in children, anesthesia complications, multiple sclerosis, and impaired immunity among many other conditions.
The accumulated information on "second-hand" smoke, or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), has become even stronger, implicating such exposure in many acute illnesses. These are of particular concern in the case of young children living in a home environment with smoking parents but are relevant as well for highly-exposed co-workers (e.g., in bars and restaurants). The evidence also supports a weak but real association between ETS and chronic illnesses, including heart disease and cancer. A new chapter on addiction is also of crucial importance.
For these reasons alone, everyone smokers, those who love them, those who have to be in their company, and especially those who are contemplating starting to smoke must read this book. After doing so, they will be truly informed as to the gravity of the assault on their health they are (or may soon be) undergoing when they or others smoke.
Special discounts are available for purchases of 50 or more copies. Contact Jeff Stier (212-362-7044, ext. 225; stier@acsh.org) to arrange media interviews or appearances.
