10 replies to this topic

[greybeard]

Experts are warning that the public dangerously underestimates the health risks linked to smoking cannabis.

The British Lung Foundation carried out a survey of 1,000 adults and found a third wrongly believed cannabis did not harm health.

And 88% incorrectly thought tobacco cigarettes were more harmful than cannabis ones - when the risk of lung cancer is actually 20 times higher.

The BLF said the lack of awareness was "alarming".



Full report here: http://www.bbc.co.uk...health-18283689

(ps. I don't have a view. I'm just passing this along!!)

[Ava~]

greybeard~ that is depressing but thanks for the info...geez, 20 times higher cancer risk!

[Grinch83]

I'd like to read the BLF report...this seems rather fishy to me. Obviously, smoke in the lungs is not good for you, but the way this information is presented is definitely slanted. You can't accurately compare smoking cigarettes with smoking grass. It's like comparing drinking a bottle of beer to drinking a bottle of vodka - both are bottles, but one is a hell of a lot stronger than the other. For instance, most people don't continuously smoke one joint after another after another after another after another like cigarette smokers do. Usually a couple of puffs is all you need to get where you want to go, and usually one smokes grass just a few times a week versus up to and over 20 times a day, like a pack a day smoker.

Just my two cents. Cut the cigs, stick to grass. If you're really worried about smoke, use a vaporizer or make fun food!

[Ratticis]

Health risk of cannibals? Well you would think they gotta be careful who they eat. I mean, pretty easy way to catch something. Unless there's some sorta 'People Butcher' somewhere that inspects and sells the meat. Hmm, maybe I need too try my hand at running a business again . . .

[edlee]

Peter Reynolds, leader of Clear, which used to be known as the Legalise Cannabis Alliance, suggested the BLF had been highly-selective in its use of research.
He added: "It is clear that this report was written not as a scientific document but as campaigning propaganda.
"As such it is misleading, inaccurate and dangerously irresponsible.

This is the last paragraph of the article,, in case anyone didn't read that far. There's an old saying about believing everything you read. Not saying that applies here,,, but ,, just sayin'.
ed

[greybeard]

I'd like to read the BLF report...this seems rather fishy to me.

Here's their web address. http://www.lunguk.org/

It appears not to be responding at the moment, but maybe you'll find what you are looking for.

[Scrappy]

I'm not even guna waste my time lookin at the link, but I am guna say that I personally feel worse when smoking cigarettes than cannabis. I don't smoke cigarettes regularly anymore but I smoke cannabis and when i go out somewhere and I happen to smoke a cigarette the next day I'm coughing up a lung and spitting up luggies. So i'll tell you from experience that smoking cannabis is way better. Plus cigarettes are addicting ;) hahaha

[Scrappy]

Reports agree that it’s mostly to do with how long cannabis users hold in their smoke; not to mention an increased concentration of psychoactive properties. Two long term studies, focusing on 100,000 people in Sweden and the US, however, found that there were no increases in deaths among cannabis users.
Wow test 100,000 and nobody died the end.. try holding in cigarette smoke n tell me how ur lungs feel ouch

[scaldedcat]

Don't think the point is how many died, but what affect it had on them health wise, bit of a different story then I would think. Anyone who thinks cannabis isn't harmful to their health is kidding themselves, and the same for nicotine (stll trying to get my fiancee to give up the cancer sticks). But people have found that canabis has been the only form of pain relief that works for them, so good on them I say, but don't be deluded into thinking it is not harmful to your health. And yes I know strong pain killers used over time aren't great for your long term health either, so guess it's just a matter of personal choice.

[edlee]

Everything is bad for you. The very air you breathe often has enough polutants in it to harm your health. BUT,, mostly it doesn't. All these studies are based on correlations and percentages. Just because you, yourself, smoke,, doesn't mean that your health will be harmed,, these studies show that a certain percentage of the people who smoke will be harmed. You may be one of the lucky ones.

SO,, do what you like,,, life is a crap shoot anyway. How many of you here,, were worried about being in a wheelchair the day before your accident????

Oh,,, and eat dessert first.
ed

[greybeard]

So true Ed. I knew this report would provoke a lively response.

Actually I lied when I said I didn't have a view in the original post. I'm a "born-again non smoker" and, true to form, that makes me something of a zealot. I hate being around smokers now simply because they stink. I've no doubt that cannabis smokers do as well. I just don't come into contact with any. Whether or not anyone partakes of either is completely their own affair - as long as it's not near enough for me to smell it!