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Health risks of cannabis 'underestimated', experts warn | Health risks of cannabis 'underestimated', experts warn |
(8 days later) | |
Experts are warning that the public dangerously underestimates the health risks linked to smoking cannabis. | Experts are warning that the public dangerously underestimates the health risks linked to smoking cannabis. |
The British Lung Foundation carried out a survey of 1,000 adults and found a third wrongly believed cannabis did not harm health. | The British Lung Foundation carried out a survey of 1,000 adults and found a third wrongly believed cannabis did not harm health. |
And 88% incorrectly thought tobacco cigarettes were more harmful than cannabis ones - when the risk of lung cancer is actually 20 times higher. | And 88% incorrectly thought tobacco cigarettes were more harmful than cannabis ones - when the risk of lung cancer is actually 20 times higher. |
The BLF said the lack of awareness was "alarming". | The BLF said the lack of awareness was "alarming". |
Widely used | Widely used |
Latest figures show that 30% of 16-59 year-olds in England and Wales have used cannabis in their lifetimes. | Latest figures show that 30% of 16-59 year-olds in England and Wales have used cannabis in their lifetimes. |
href="http://www.blf.org.uk/Page/Special-Reports" >A new report from the BLF says there are established scientific links between smoking cannabis and tuberculosis, acute bronchitis and lung cancer. | |
Part of the reason for this, say the experts, is that people smoking cannabis take deeper puffs and hold them for longer than when smoking tobacco cigarettes. | Part of the reason for this, say the experts, is that people smoking cannabis take deeper puffs and hold them for longer than when smoking tobacco cigarettes. |
This means that someone smoking a cannabis cigarette inhales four times as much tar as from a tobacco cigarette, and five times as much carbon monoxide, the BLF says. | This means that someone smoking a cannabis cigarette inhales four times as much tar as from a tobacco cigarette, and five times as much carbon monoxide, the BLF says. |
Its survey found that young people are particularly unaware of the risks. | Its survey found that young people are particularly unaware of the risks. |
Some studies have also suggested cannabis increases the chances of developing mental health problems such as schizophrenia. | Some studies have also suggested cannabis increases the chances of developing mental health problems such as schizophrenia. |
Almost 40% of the under-35s surveyed - the age group most likely to have smoked it - thought cannabis was not harmful. | Almost 40% of the under-35s surveyed - the age group most likely to have smoked it - thought cannabis was not harmful. |
However, the BLF report warned that smoking one cannabis cigarette every day for a year increases the chances of developing lung cancer by a similar amount as smoking 20 tobacco cigarettes each day for one year. | However, the BLF report warned that smoking one cannabis cigarette every day for a year increases the chances of developing lung cancer by a similar amount as smoking 20 tobacco cigarettes each day for one year. |
Its chief executive, Dame Helena Shovelton, said: "It is alarming that, while new research continues to reveal the multiple health consequences of smoking cannabis, there is still a dangerous lack of public awareness of quite how harmful this drug can be. | Its chief executive, Dame Helena Shovelton, said: "It is alarming that, while new research continues to reveal the multiple health consequences of smoking cannabis, there is still a dangerous lack of public awareness of quite how harmful this drug can be. |
"This is not a niche problem - cannabis is one of the most widely-used recreational drugs in the UK, with almost a third of the population having tried it. | "This is not a niche problem - cannabis is one of the most widely-used recreational drugs in the UK, with almost a third of the population having tried it. |
"We therefore need a serious public health campaign - of the kind that has helped raise awareness of the dangers of eating fatty foods or smoking tobacco - to finally dispel the myth that smoking cannabis is somehow a safe pastime." | "We therefore need a serious public health campaign - of the kind that has helped raise awareness of the dangers of eating fatty foods or smoking tobacco - to finally dispel the myth that smoking cannabis is somehow a safe pastime." |
'Misleading' | 'Misleading' |
The BLF's report says there should be a public education programme to raise awareness of the impact of smoking cannabis and increased investment in research into the health consequences of its use. | The BLF's report says there should be a public education programme to raise awareness of the impact of smoking cannabis and increased investment in research into the health consequences of its use. |
Peter Reynolds, leader of Clear, which used to be known as the Legalise Cannabis Alliance, suggested the BLF had been highly-selective in its use of research. | Peter Reynolds, leader of Clear, which used to be known as the Legalise Cannabis Alliance, suggested the BLF had been highly-selective in its use of research. |
He added: "It is clear that this report was written not as a scientific document but as campaigning propaganda. | He added: "It is clear that this report was written not as a scientific document but as campaigning propaganda. |
"As such it is misleading, inaccurate and dangerously irresponsible." | "As such it is misleading, inaccurate and dangerously irresponsible." |
The British Lung Foundation said their report was based on sound research. | The British Lung Foundation said their report was based on sound research. |
"The report references over 80 peer-reviewed research papers, is the most comprehensive report of its kind yet compiled, and has itself been peer-reviewed by a panel of independent experts." | "The report references over 80 peer-reviewed research papers, is the most comprehensive report of its kind yet compiled, and has itself been peer-reviewed by a panel of independent experts." |