428 



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Sterling said, the dau ui the report reveal that 

 'moderate smokers vll^^^en reported the least amount of disease. .. " 



Finally, a/^ysiVSf report statistics demonstrated that "former 

 smokers consistently repwMed ^« highest rate of diseases and disabilities. " 



cy 



In this regard. Dr. 9terlfaig observed: 



"One of the major clairiviHhat smoking is a hazard to health 

 is based on the argument t&^t stopping results in an apparent 

 •'-^ increase in life expectancy. ^ Yet, t^ one finding consistent 



- -, for all sexes, categories of dijeafes, aod types of disabilities 

 ' •- of the National Health Survey wa»l)iat to stop smoking was 

 "^--associated with an increasing inciaence of illness. What 

 Uftdmgs are we to credit'" "^^ 



Accojpling to Dr. Sterling, none. Here is')jt« conclusion: 



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"If any l^»^n is to be learned from this issue/:^ is not that 

 smoktag ca^^AS untold diseases and disabilities "aCRd loss from 

 work,^ bbt thit^laims about such controversial topi<^>need te^ 

 be very carvfulQ-and intelligently reviewed even if tJi^ are 

 mads by p^Ue agv^ies or by other impeccable sourcev. 

 Such claims lead to i6<ions that may affect the health and 

 well-bemg of larfe nunjbers of citizens. It would appear 

 that a thorough rerl«w ofCtoe quality of data, the quality 

 of analyses of thes« ttta, ip4,the soundness of conclusions 

 have to be most carefully estj^Lished before they are used in 

 support of public policy. " '^ 



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