Tobacco and smoking

Abstract

1. Sixty-five per cent. of men and 40 per cent. of women over i6 are regular smokers; 87.3 per cent. of male doctors over 35 years have similar habits. 2. A short review of constituents of cigarette smoke and some of its pharmacological action is given. 3. The present yearly death rate from cancer of the bronchus of 17,000 in England and Wales is shown to be due mainly to smoking, especially cigarettes. 4. This disease has caused 100,000 deaths in the past ten years and reasons are given for suggesting that we are only in the early stages of an epidemic which will result in half a million deaths in the next 20 to 30 years. 5. Preventive action by the profession and the Ministry of Health is urgent and it might be rapidly helpful. 6. The mortality and morbidity from bronchitis is greater in Britain than in any other country where statistics are available. The part played by smoking in this condition is important. 7. The effect of smoking on severe arterial disease is summarized. 8. The question is posed: Are there advantages from smoking which compensate for the known ill effects on health? The answer must be an emphatic NO.