Jason Schmidt, age 1b, of Davenport, Iowa, for his question:
WHEN DID PEOPLE START SMOKING?
Smoking is the inhalation of combustion proaucts of dried leaves from the tobacco plant in a pipe, cigar or cigarette form. As recently as the 1940s smoking was considered harmless, but laboratory and clinical research has since proved that smoking greatly increases a smoker's chance of dying from several diseases, chief of which is lung cancer.
When European explorers arrived in the Western Hemisphere, they observed nature Americans smoking the leaves of the tobacco plant in pipes, ana the practice was introduced into England 1n the mid 1500s.
At first, most tobacco was consumed in pipes and cigars or as snuff. This pattern changed by the early 20th century, when smokers started consuming large numbers of cigarettes. The general attitude of society was that smoking relieved tensions and produced no ill effects.
Epidemiologists soon noticed, however, that lung cancer rare before the 20th century was increasing dramatically. This increase started about 1930.
The American Cancer Society and other organizations initiated studies comparing deaths among smokers and nonsmokers over a period of several years. All such studies found increased mortality among smokers, both from cancer and other causes.
In 1962 the United States government appointed a panel of 1U scientists to study and available evidence. Their conclusions were included in the 1964 surgeon general's report, which stated that "cigarette smoking is a health hazard of sufficient importance in the United States to warrant appropriate remedial action."
The first action taken was the inclusion of a warning on cigarette packages in 1964 by the Federal Trade Commission. This was strengthened in 1969 to read as follows: "Warning: The Surgeon General Has Determined That Cigarette Smoking is Dangerous to Your Health."
A still stronger sequence of four alternative warnings was developed in 1984.
All cigarette advertising was banned from radio and television, starting in 1971. In the 1970s and early 1980s several cities passed laws requiring nonsmoking sections in public places and work places. Special nonsmoking sections were designated on major airline flight and smoking was banned on most commuting lines.
Medical studies have definitely establishes that overall mortality is twice as high among midale ages men who smoke as among those who ao not.
The death rate is higher for those persons who smoke more cigarettes per day and for those who have smoked longer.
Chief among cancers caused by smoking is lung cancer, which accounts for 25 percent of all cancer deaths in the U.S. Smokers also have a fivefold increased risk for cancer of the larynx, oral cavity and esophagus. About one third of all cancers of the bladder, kidney and pancreas are attributed to smoking as well.
Smoking also causes a five fold increase in the risk of dying from chronic bronchitis and emphysema and a twofold increase in deaths from diseases of the heart and coronary arteries.