BBC article on TB and smoking - tobacco control in the developing world.
BBC News - TB smoking toll 'could reach 40m'
BBC News - TB smoking toll 'could reach 40m'
Smoking and TB
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That's really quite ironic, in view of the fact that cigarettes were invented as a way to help reduce the incidence of TB. TB was being spread via spitting of chewing tobacco juices.
Perhaps smoking reduces the ability of the lungs to fight off an infection of this type, but the story gives the (false) impression that smoking is a vector for spreading the disease.
Tuberculosis Contagious And Tuberculosis Causes
Perhaps smoking reduces the ability of the lungs to fight off an infection of this type, but the story gives the (false) impression that smoking is a vector for spreading the disease.
Tuberculosis Contagious And Tuberculosis Causes
Hey, it just increases the body count for the ANTZ and anything that does that is all good, in their minds.
- Apr 2, 2009
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Vocalek wrote:
Actually, a century ago some folks inaccurately believed that spit from smokeless tobacco and spittoons transmitted tuberculosis, and subsequent research found that smokeless tobacco spit is NOT associated with tuberculosis.
But from 1900 to around 1925 (during alcohol prohibition) those who believed and claimed that smokeless tobacco spit transmitted TB successfully campaigned in many cities and states to enact law banning public spitting and spittoons.
In fact, the organization now called the American Lung Association was created at that time and was originally called something like the "American Association Against Tuberculosis", and one of its first campaigns was to ban public spitting and spittoons.
I suspect that is why the ALA continues to campaign against smokeless tobacco (despite no evidence that smokeless tobacco causes any lung diseases, and despite a scientific consensus that switching from cigarettes to smokeless tobacco sharply reduces risks of lung diseases).
Cigarettes were not invented to reduce tuberculosis (but rather tobacco companies began to mass manufacture cigarettes beginning in 1880's to make lots of money). But a century ago, many smokeless tobacco users switched to cigarettes because they believed them to be less hazardous than smokeless tobacco, and many people (including probably the ALA and other health groups) inaccurately believed that cigarettes were less hazardous alternatives to smokeless tobacco.
That was one of the reasons why cigarette sales sharply increased from 1910 to 1929, along with mass advertising of cigarettes and because General Pershing began putting cigarettes in K rations of all US troops during WWI (which addiicted many soldiers).
Actually, a century ago some folks inaccurately believed that spit from smokeless tobacco and spittoons transmitted tuberculosis, and subsequent research found that smokeless tobacco spit is NOT associated with tuberculosis.
But from 1900 to around 1925 (during alcohol prohibition) those who believed and claimed that smokeless tobacco spit transmitted TB successfully campaigned in many cities and states to enact law banning public spitting and spittoons.
In fact, the organization now called the American Lung Association was created at that time and was originally called something like the "American Association Against Tuberculosis", and one of its first campaigns was to ban public spitting and spittoons.
I suspect that is why the ALA continues to campaign against smokeless tobacco (despite no evidence that smokeless tobacco causes any lung diseases, and despite a scientific consensus that switching from cigarettes to smokeless tobacco sharply reduces risks of lung diseases).
Cigarettes were not invented to reduce tuberculosis (but rather tobacco companies began to mass manufacture cigarettes beginning in 1880's to make lots of money). But a century ago, many smokeless tobacco users switched to cigarettes because they believed them to be less hazardous than smokeless tobacco, and many people (including probably the ALA and other health groups) inaccurately believed that cigarettes were less hazardous alternatives to smokeless tobacco.
That was one of the reasons why cigarette sales sharply increased from 1910 to 1929, along with mass advertising of cigarettes and because General Pershing began putting cigarettes in K rations of all US troops during WWI (which addiicted many soldiers).
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As Vocalek says, the impression given by the BBC story is that smoking is a vector for the spread of TB - the actual transmission route is by the airborne spread of saliva.
There is no correlation between the rise or prevalence of smoking in under-developed countries and rates of TB infection - to suggest otherwise is to blame smoking as a causative agent, which it clearly is not.
BT is pursuing markets in under-developed countries because its lawful activities in more developed countries are being throttled by punitive tax regimes and aggressive anti-tobacco campaigns.
The usual leftist-BBC-control-freakery-tosh! Nonsense on stilts!
There is no correlation between the rise or prevalence of smoking in under-developed countries and rates of TB infection - to suggest otherwise is to blame smoking as a causative agent, which it clearly is not.
BT is pursuing markets in under-developed countries because its lawful activities in more developed countries are being throttled by punitive tax regimes and aggressive anti-tobacco campaigns.
The usual leftist-BBC-control-freakery-tosh! Nonsense on stilts!
- Apr 2, 2009
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EddieWillers wrote:
While smoking may not cause TB transmission, various studies and reports have found that smoking is a risk factor for contracting TB, and from dying of TB. This makes sense because smoking severely damages the respiratory system.
While smoking may not cause TB transmission, various studies and reports have found that smoking is a risk factor for contracting TB, and from dying of TB. This makes sense because smoking severely damages the respiratory system.
Fascinating history lesson, Bill. Thanks for that.
You should write an article on it.
You should write an article on it.
I'm sure smoking lowers your immunity and makes you susceptible to all kinds of lung infections. good thing I vape menthol, clears me up good when I'm sick, I actually heard menthol by itself is actually very good for you.
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