Doctors & nurses comment on BMJ paper: Mortality in relation to smoking, 50 years' observations on male British doctors
Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's Head of Science and Ethics, said: "Fifty years ago Sir Richard Doll revealed to the world that a link existed between smoking and lung cancer. Fifty years later his team's new research provides even more conclusive research that tobacco is a killer. At least one in two smokers will be killed by their habit.
"The research also emphasises once again the definite benefits of giving up smoking at any age.
"There is clear research demonstrating that smoke-free public places help smokers quit. Indeed the World Bank has estimated that smoking restrictions can reduce overall tobacco consumption by between 4 and 10%. What is the Government waiting for? Legislation to make enclosed public places smoke-free will save the lives of both smokers and non-smokers."
Beverly Malone, General Secretary for the Royal College of Nursing said: "This important new research should leave no-one in any doubt that smoking kills. This conclusive 50 year study shows the devastating impact that smoking has on a person's life span. In a time when advances in health can prolong life, half of all smokers die in their middle years. Smoking continues to be the greatest single cause of preventable illness and premature death in the UK and is the biggest public health problem we face.
"Nurses are at the forefront of patient care and see the devastating effects of smoking. Exposure to second hand tobacco smoke, a known carcinogen, has been shown to kill non-smokers; so this issue urgently needs addressing. The Royal College of Nursing wants to see the government ban smoking in enclosed public places across the UK. The recent RCN Congress Resolution on smoking in public places received an 86% vote in favour of persuading the government to instigate a ban."
Ends
Note to editors
The full paper Mortality in relation to smoking: 50 years' observations on male British doctors is available:
http://www.bmj.com
http://www.bma.org.uk
Medicii si asistentele medicale BMJ comentariu pe hârtie: Mortalitatea în legãturã cu fumatul, 50 de ani de observaþii pe medici de sex masculin britanic - Doctors & nurses comment on BMJ paper: Mortality in relation to smoking, 50 years' observations on male British doctors - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate