Health - Pot-linked 'epidemic' of lung cancer predicted

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Pot-linked 'epidemic' of lung cancer predicted

Smoking one joint the same as 20 cigarettes in terms of risk, researchers in New Zealand warn
Jan 30, 2008 04:30 AM
HONG KONG–Smoking a joint is equivalent to 20 cigarettes in terms of lung cancer risk, scientists in New Zealand say, as they warned of an "epidemic" of lung cancers linked to cannabis.


Studies in the past have demonstrated that cannabis can cause cancer but few have established a strong link between cannabis use and the actual incidence of lung cancer.


The scientists reported in the European Respiratory Journal that cannabis can be expected to harm airways more than tobacco cigarettes, as pot smoke contains twice the level of carcinogens, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons.


The method of smoking also increases the risk, since joints typically are smoked without a filter and almost to the very tip, which increases the amount of smoke inhaled. Also the cannabis smoker inhales more deeply and for longer, making it easier to deposit carcinogens in airways.


The researchers interviewed 79 lung cancer patients and sought to identify the main risk factors for the disease, such as smoking, family history and occupation. The patients were questioned about alcohol and cannabis consumption.


In this high-exposure group, lung cancer risk rose by 5.7 times for patients who smoked more than a joint a day for 10 years, or two joints a day for 5 years, after adjusting for other variables, including cigarette smoking.


"While our study covers a relatively small group, it shows clearly that long-term cannabis smoking increases lung cancer risk," writes team leader Richard Beasley of the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand.


"Cannabis use could already be responsible for one in 20 lung cancers diagnosed in New Zealand," he said.


"In the near future we may see an `epidemic' of lung cancers connected with this new carcinogen. And the future risk probably applies to many other countries, where increasing use of cannabis among young adults and adolescents is becoming a major public health problem."

http://www.thestar.com/article/298689