§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's assessment of the medical effects of smoking 20 cigarettes a day.
§ Mr. DorrellCigarette consumption at this level results in a serious risk of developing a whole range of life-threatening diseases. The smoker's chances of contracting lung cancer, chronic obstructive airways disease and coronary heart disease are much enhanced. In addition there is an increased risk of contracting the following diseases:
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Cancer of the lip, oral cavity and pharynx
- Cancer of the oesophagus
- Cancer of the larynx
- Cancer of the pancreas
- Peripheral vascular disease.
There is also evidence that other conditions are associated with smoking, including:
- Low birthweight babies (where the mother smokes during pregnancy)
- Aortic aneurysm
- Cancer of the bladder
- Cancer of the cervix
- Cancer of the stomach
- Cancer of the kidney
- Peptic ulcer.