Reid wrong about comfort of smoking, research shows

doi:10.1136/bmj.39153.351042.DB

BMJ 2007;334:555 (17 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.39153.351042.DB

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Reid wrong about comfort of smoking, research shows

Roger Dobson

Abergavenny

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Smoking is not associated with better quality of life or increasedpleasure.

Results from a study that investigated links between smokingand pleasure and quality of life showed no evidence to supporta controversial comment by the former health secretary JohnReid (now the home secretary) that for some people their onlyenjoyment was having a cigarette (Public Health 2007 Mar 2,doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2007.01.005)

"We found no evidence to support a claim that smoking is associatedwith heightened levels of pleasure, either in low socioeconomicgroups or in the general population. In fact, our results suggestthe opposite: that smoking is associated with lower levels ofpleasure and poorer overall quality of life.

"As a group, smokers have lower levels of pleasure and qualityof life than those who have never smoked, with ex-smokers inbetween," say the authors.

The report says that in June 2004 Dr Reid . . . [Full text of this article]

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Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

The health secretary was very wrong.: Rachid Berair
bmj.com, 17 Mar 2007 [Full text]
Pleasure of smoking - the evidence.: Susan E Martin
bmj.com, 19 Mar 2007 [Full text]
Smoking is a pleasure for some: Angus Bancroft
bmj.com, 21 Mar 2007 [Full text]
This article should be withdrawn: Adrian H Sie
bmj.com, 27 Apr 2007 [Full text]
Cause and Effect: Joan McClusky
bmj.com, 28 Apr 2007 [Full text]