Posted on 10/17/2006 1:09:34 PM PDT by trumandogz
TUESDAY, Oct. 17 (HealthDay News) -- A new study finds that at least 1 in every 4 smokers will develop progressive and incurable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a much higher risk than previously believed.
COPD is a respiratory disease that results in blocked air flow to the lungs and grows progressively worse.
For this study, published online in the journal Thorax, researchers at Hvidovre Hospital analyzed data on 8,000 men and women, ages 30 to 60. All were monitored for 25 years as part of the Copenhagen City Heart Study.
At the start of the study, all the participants' lungs were healthy and working normally. However, over the course of the 25 years, the lungs of almost all the male non-smokers continued to function normally, compared to 60 percent of men who continued to smoke.
Among women, 90 percent of non-smokers still had healthy lungs at the end of 25 years, compared to 70 percent of smokers.
Overall, 25 percent of the participants developed moderate or severe COPD over the 25 years. Persistent smokers were six times more likely to develop COPD than non-smokers.
During the 25 years, there were 2,900 deaths in the study group. Of those deaths, 109 were directly attributable to COPD, and nearly all those deaths were in people who were active smokers at the start of the study. Only two non-smokers died of COPD.
The study also found a sharp decline in the risk of COPD among people who stopped smoking soon after the start of the study. Over the 25 years, none of these ex-smokers developed severe COPD.
Shortly after that, I'll see it in the sights of my .45-70.
Actually, that was kind.
You are in fact a full-blown fascist.
Awwwwwww! How cute.
I used to do that too, until I realized it only encourages the folks who would use government guns to stop you from doing something they find offensive.
Come on out of the closet. Free your inner outlaw.
I'm annoyed by fat people, but I haven't sought (yet) to banish them from society.
BTW, allergic reactions require protein.
There is no protein in tobacco smoke.
The truth hurts, doesn't it?
So the addicts are reduced to name calling. Whatever you need to do to justify your own behavior...
Close to four in four smokers will die free and happy.
There, all fixed.
Quix...this isn't a very Christian attitude you are showing here. Many of these people are friends, and I don't like to see them being ridiculed for their choices. Remember "Judge not, lest ye be judged".
I respect your perspective. Sorry if I crossed such a line.
I actually consider it unChristian to AVOID WARNING a brother overtaken in a fault, as Scripture exhorts.
I consider our bodies at least a POTENTIAL temple of the Holy Spirit. . . . due a lot of respect and reverential care rather than glib, casual, addicted trashing.
I believe in free choice rather intensely.
But I hope folks would raise a loud furor if they caught me addicted to playing with rattle snakes in a playpen with my 4 year old [hypothetical].
I don't consider it loving or respectful to walk on by on the other side of the road when someone I care for is being self destructive--whether they realize it or not.
Truth is truth. Yes, it can be brutal when void of caring, of love. If I didn't care, I wouldn't bother. If I didn't care, I'd just rant without any thought or tone of caring.
I've worked hard to emphasize my hostility to THE SELF-DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR and not the individuals.
I've been assaulted by about every horrific name they can get away with hereon. But I'm the bad guy?
What am I missing, not understanding that you are?
This is their choice. They know that it isn't the popular choice, but they have the right to do what they want with their bodies. I am an ex smoker. I gave it up 5 years ago...I'm proud of my accomplishment, but refuse to cast stones at those who haven't made the same choice.
I'm sorry you have been attacked by others on the thread. They obviously feel the need to be defensive due to the continual attacks against them and their choice.
Do you believe you have any chance of converting someone by being on the offense. Could I win souls if I approached people, armed, and tried to force my views on them? This is along that same vein...you wont convert them...they have to want to quit, and the more they are attacked, the deeper they will dig in their heels.
Well, I'll give a lot of prayerful thought to your exhortation.
I don't expect to convert any of the rabid folks.
But there are many lurkers who are no doubt on the brink of deciding. I have some fantasies that some of my humble words may nudge them over the line.
Thanks for your caring exhortation. I'll certainly ponder it consdierably.
Tobacco legislation and non smoking laws??? If anyone gave a damn the product would have been made illegal years ago.
I say ; "anyone born after 1960 should not be eligible for any medical subsistence related to nicotine if they CHOOSE to kill themselves after all the publicity smoking has gotten over the years."
What about AIDS, Alcoholism, Drunk driving, Xtreme sports, Drug abuse, Over eating, Sedentary lifestyle, Tanning, etc.?
Sedentary lifestyle causes more deaths than smoking, says study
Absolutely astounding.
Have you started lobbying your Master Government to establish re-education camps yet?
I guess you're immune to irony.
Carolyn
"Out of curiosity... why? Your odds of dying from Russian Roulette are considerably less than they are from smoking."
You wouldn't consider the additional 25 years of living to be of value? If not, what is the difference between your position and the pro-murder abortionists?
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