re: Is smoking really to blame for lung cancer?

quote:

---

I don't think you're analyzing statistics correctly. Nonsmokers are accounting for a growing percentage of lung cancer cases because fewer people are smoking. So smoking-induced cancers are decreasing while other cancers are staying the same.

---

I see where you are coming from. However, I pose an alternate hypothesis. Lung cancer occurrences per capita have decreased since the late 80's. While this is seemingly correlated to the anti-smoking movement, it also falls right in line with the safe sex movement due to the AIDS scare.

HPV works faster than lung cancer, so you see a significant down turn in a much shorter time. example



Other lung diseases are also "long term"

quote:

---

Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), also known as black lung disease or black lung, is caused by long-term exposure to coal dust.

---

quote:

---

Asbestosis (as-bes-TOE-sis) is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Prolonged exposure to these fibers can cause lung tissue scarring and shortness of breath.

---