Some information about lung cancer
Question asked by gomezhenry56a in #Coffee Room on Apr 17, 2011
gomezhenry56a · Apr 17, 2011
Rank E2 - BEGINNER
In a large study looking at over 85,000 people, smokers of menthol cigarettes - contrary to popular opinion - actually had a lower rate of developing and dying from lung cancer than non-menthol cigarette smokers. In this study, pack-a-day smokers who smoked menthol cigarettes were 12 times more likely to get lung cancer than non-smokers, as opposed to the non-menthol group who were 21 times more likely than non-smokers to develop the disease.
So why did we believe menthol was so deadly? The concern was based on a correlation. Black people are more likely to develop lung cancer. They are also more likely to smoke mentholated cigarettes. But in studies, correlation doesn't always imply cause.
Based on that theory we have even come up with reasons why mentholated cigarettes may be more dangerous. Perhaps it is harder to quit smoking for those who choose menthol (not so said this study). Perhaps the smoke from menthol cigarettes is inhaled more deeply into the lungs.
Of course, the real concern is smoking in the first place. And even if menthol cigarettes are not harder to quit and are not more dangerous, there are other concerns. It seems that it isn't only blacks that prefer the menthol variety. Our teens, whether black, white, or Hispanic, are also finding the menthol variety more appealing in recent years. And teen smoking is a huge concern. Posted in: #Coffee Room
So why did we believe menthol was so deadly? The concern was based on a correlation. Black people are more likely to develop lung cancer. They are also more likely to smoke mentholated cigarettes. But in studies, correlation doesn't always imply cause.
Based on that theory we have even come up with reasons why mentholated cigarettes may be more dangerous. Perhaps it is harder to quit smoking for those who choose menthol (not so said this study). Perhaps the smoke from menthol cigarettes is inhaled more deeply into the lungs.
Of course, the real concern is smoking in the first place. And even if menthol cigarettes are not harder to quit and are not more dangerous, there are other concerns. It seems that it isn't only blacks that prefer the menthol variety. Our teens, whether black, white, or Hispanic, are also finding the menthol variety more appealing in recent years. And teen smoking is a huge concern. Posted in: #Coffee Room
