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77
(e) The identification of several carcinogenic substances in tobacco smoke provides a
rational basis for such a casual relationship.
OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH ASPECTS OF SMOKING
In addition to the preceding official information on the connection between smoking and
lung cancer, I would respectfully point out that there are a number of other public health aspects
involved in smoking which I feel warrant equal attention and this would appear to be an appropriate
time to bring this to the notice of members of the Committee.
From the Public Health point of view, smoking is an undesirable habit on the following
grounds:-
1. It causes increased salivation and leads to spitting, which can spread disease, e.g.
colds, tuberculosis and food poisoning.
2. Tobacco smoke is an irritant and causes coughing (e.g. the regular smoker's morning
cigarette to 'clear his lungs' and the chronic 'smoker's cough' of heavy smokers).Coughing
by smokers in confined spaces, e.g. offices, buses, railway trains, cinemas, etc., must
be responsible for the spread of much of the epidemic disease spread by droplets, e.g.
the common cold, influenza, pneumonia, etc. The ill-health spread by the coughing of
smokers must be considerable and causes great economic loss, discomfort and inconvenience
to other people.
3. Food handlers who smoke can contaminate their fingers with mouth bacteria from the
act of smoking and convey the germs to food. Even if they desist from smoking whilst
handling food they are more liable to coughing and contamination of food by droplets
during the act of coughing in the vicinity of the food.
4. Non-smokers suffer great discomfort from irritation and even inflammation of the eyes
when in a smoke contaminated atmosphere.
5. Tobacco contains nicotine, a powerful poison which can affect the heart muscle and
also the eyes.
6. Excessive smoking may predispose to gastric and duodenal ulcer.
From the above resume it will be seen that smoking is not only a causative agent in
lung cancer but it is also an important factor leading to chronic ill-health and certain specific
diseases in the individual. In addition, and even more important, it is a dangerous practice
! from the public health point of view as it undoubtedly plays an important part in the spread of
respiratory disease and food poisoning.
I am,
Mr. .Chairman and Members,
Your obedient Servant,