Tobacco products are linked to virtually every form of cancer.

I recently saw a movie, that was made in 1955, where the actress stated (lighting a cigarette) that her doctor told her they weren't good for her and that was LONG before the Surgeon Generals mandatory warnigs on packs of cigarettes.

In the UK graphic images are also required on cigarette packs and a cottage industry had grown up of replacement labels to stick over the warnings -talk abour denial.

See http://www.fakefags.co.uk/category_stickers.asp

I guess the thing that stuns me is why our governement, who is supoosed to protect us, has allowed the legalization of tobacco products for so long. It's harmful effects are no longer anecdotal and have been scientifically proven. The tobacco companies have shamelessly lied about it's addictive effects for decades. There will be a special place in hell for them to be sure.

My 47 year old sister died from smoking (even after going to MD Anderson for Tx). My stepmother died from smoking - and that was after she had quit for many years (but she had smoked heavy for 25 years and after that it really doesn't changes the potential cancer outcome - heart attack and stroke - yes). I have seen lung cancer death up close and personal and it is about an ugly and painful form of death as it gets.

Yet when I worked for Siemens Medical Labs, manufacturer of Liner Accelerators, used for radiation therapy, many employees smoked. I had to go on the road and work on LINACS in many different hospitals and after witnessing patients actually dying in the middle of treatment, or near death (grey and gurgling on the gurney), it left a lasting impression. In total I smoked less than 5 years. I was a 2 pack a day smoker in the end. One morning I got up (and it took sveral attempts prior), threw them in the garbage and never had one again. The smell of smoke disgusts me now. I am glad I live in a state that has very strong anti-smoking rules.

It is very sad about Patrick Swayze. I have always admired his acting ability and enjoyed his movies. I have lost several friends to pancreatic cancer and it's about the worst cancer you can get - 5% five year survival rate (and extremely painful). I am equally surpried at Steve Jobs "survival". He is looking very gaunt these days and I am sure that Apple isn't revealing the whole story.

My next door neighbor, who survived breast cancer, died from pancreatic (she was never able to stop smoking). All the people I know personally with pancreatic cancer were dead within 6 months of diagnosis.

It has been proven that tobacco products additive qualities have been enhanced by the tobacco companies. There are countermeasures and smoking cessation programs. You really only have to stay clean for about three weeks and the worst is over. But -the key to any addiction is that you have to WANT to quit.

See this link: http://www.sptimes.com/News/61599/Floridian/He_wanted_you_to_know.shtml

Yes cancer is an "equal opportunity" disease but quitting tobacco products is still the most preventable method of cancer death in the world today.