pot smokling is bad for your lungs
google news pointed me to this article which cites a recent study by the British Lung Foundation which found marijuana smoke to be more carcinogenic than tobacco smoke. From the article:
The BLF’s new report finds smoking three cannabis or marijuana joints a day causes the same damage to the lining of the lungs and airways as 20 cigarettes.The study provides evidence showing tar from marijuana cigarettes contain 50 percent more carcinogens than tobacco.
these conclusions seem a little dubious because most people i know who smoke pot don’t smoke 3 joints a day, and only a few even smoke 3 joints a week. however, many people i know who smoke cigarettes smoke at least 20 a week. i think this is a good wake-up call to the “pot is harmless” crowd. still, i think that marijuana is still safer than tobacco. it seems not to be as addictive, so people can use it casually and thereby minimize the health risks. however, i think it is important that any marijuana legalization efforts be accompanied by an appropriate media campaign which provides people with accurate information about the health risks associated with marijuana use. i guess people have a right to be as harmful to themselves as they want to be given that they don’t harm others, but i think it’s important that people have accurate information before making the decision. surveys of young people suggest that this isn’t yet the case.