Reid wrong about comfort of smoking, research shows

doi:10.1136/bmj.39153.351042.DB

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Roger Dobson

Abergavenny

Smoking is not associated with better quality of life or increased pleasure.

Results from a study that investigated links between smoking and pleasure and quality of life showed no evidence to support a controversial comment by the former health secretary John Reid (now the home secretary) that for some people their only enjoyment 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 associated with heightened levels of pleasure, either in low socioeconomic groups or in the general population. In fact, our results suggest the opposite: that smoking is …