As a casual smoker (with a beer) have looked into the serious research and challenge the neurotic antismokers to do the same. You will find from a number of authentic peer reviewed studies (including the largest epidemilogical study on the subject of smoking and cancer incidence) the following stats:
o 90% of smokers do NOT succumb to lung cancer o Of the 10% who do, 90% attain 40 pack years, that's a pack a day for 40 years.
Applying your own observations will help you grasp this data - like how many people do you know have smoked above 40 pack years and still managed to die of something else. Fact is smoking and illnesses are DOSE related and as with any disease, smoking related illnesses are subject to genes and other lifestyle considerations, e.g. Japananese smokers at the same level of US smokers have half the cancer rates. Anyone guess why?
Obesity, diabetes, cholorectoral cancers are becoming more prevalent and more costly for society to deal with. Ironic that smoking tends to reduce eating which I find somewhat comical when a fatty gets all righteous about my smoking in the open air, with a beer, after a run.
Finally, just back from Europe where they show much more tolerance in so many ways compared to Australia where we are in danger of becoming a neurotic, self obsessed and over righteous society.
