Tobacco smoking

Press, 5 August 1985, Page 12

Tobacco smoking

Sir,—Wendy Ramsay asks why tobacco smoking is considered antisocial. Tobacco may be classed as a biomass fuel, similar to wood, crop residues, agriculture waste and manure. The combustion of these materials often produces substances that are harmful to human health. Modern statistical and air analysis techniques confirm that the side stream or exhaust smoke produced by a smoker are unhealthy for bystanders. If all smokers ceased smoking, there would in due course be a drastic reduction in lung cancer and heart cases. However, if all mechnical transport stopped there would be total economic chaos. Our aim is to reduce the use of the private car in city areas, to promote the concept of using cars more economically and to encourage the development of less

polluting forms of transport The medical profession positively condemns tobacco smoking as a'health hazard but seems to accept that the moderate consumption of alcohol is not so detrimental to health as the habit of smoking. The Qlean Air Society’s sphere of activity is limited to considering air pollution in all its forms. — Yours, etc., P. V. NEARY, Hon. Secretary, N.Z. Clean Air Society. July 31, 1985.