Excerpts from Smoking-related Research
Analysis by the Congressional Research Service (color emphasis is mine)
In response to a request from the US Congress, the Congressional Research Service undertook an analysis of the potential health effects of ETS. In particular, the analysis looked at the work on ETS which has appeared since the publication of the EPA's findings. Four studies in particular were examined -- Kabat [14], Fontham [15], Brownson [16], Stockwell [17].
Of these studies, two show no increased average risk (Kabat and Brownson), one shows a barely statistically significant risk (Fontham), and one shows an increased average risk which is nonetheless not statistically significant at 95% confidence level (Stockwell [18]).
Moreover, if we have to take the Fontham study, which alone of these four shows a statistically significant average increased risk, and as the relevant question about the degree of risk suggested, then in the words of the Congressional Research Service the chance of dying of lung cancer over one's lifetime "for a person exposed only to background ETS, the number drops to about 7/100 of one percent [19]. Moreover, using data from the Brownson study, "there are no annual lung cancer deaths from ETS." [20].
A new report based on research from the World Health Organization, reproduced in full. (color emphasis is mine)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Researchers said they were surprised and even embarrassed to find that smoking cigarettes apparently reduces the risk of breast cancer among women with an unusual gene mutation.
Researchers caution that the study does not mean women should smoke.
"The risks of smoking are so serious that there's absolutely no reason that any woman should consider smoking whether she is at high risk or low risk for breast cancer," said Dr. Lynn Schuchter, an oncologist at the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center.
Smokers had half as many cancers