Tobacco Documents Online

rFtte TOBACCO wnttsrnY, desperately op- posing the implication that cigarette smoking is a cause of lung cancer,,points : a finger of accusation at air pollution as ,-the_preferable candidate. We welcome the ',indictment-not because it makes the in- volvement of cigarette smoking any the less likely-but because it adds another proper target for the attack on the in- creased incidence of lung cancer. . Neither the American Cancer Society nor the Royal College of'Physicians refers to cigarette smoking as the only probable cause of lung cancer. At most, the evii dence to date implicates it' as a principal the elevated lung cancer death rate. Cancer-producing, agents are in the . : air we breathe. Cancer can be pro- duced' in animals„ with use of con- centrates of urban smog. The cancerr death rate in the largest cities is twice as high as that in nonurban areas. The case is not yet proved, but the weight of evidence grows : heavier as research progresses." When the pot cails the kettle black, it is enough ta recognize that both have the same color. The risk conferred by smoking can be eliminated by any one person-if he is taught to recognize that the risk is cause, and it is conceded that other causes . a real one. The risk from noxious rnateriul pollutants probably contribute to feasible."' - "Most investigators agree that air ination is technically and practicaily, cancer," but it also stated: . in the future of carcinogenic air contamr cates smoking as the principal etiological As the USPHS puts it, "Frurther study and factor in the increased incidence of' lung effort are required, but marked reduction "the weight of evidence at present impli- thanieducation and personal efforts alone. ' are also operative. Not the least of' these in the atmosphere from industry and in- is air pollution. The 1959 statement of the - ternal combustion engines can be reduced, USPH'S straightforwardly concluded that but the measures to be taken require more ~ 0 Q W