[Smoking and health].

The incidence of smoking has increased significantly in the past several decades. Studies have been conducted in many Western countries into the effects of cigarette smoking on health. The following conclusions of the U.S. Public Health Services study are cited: 1) cigarette smoking is causally related to lung cancer in men; 2) the risk of developing lung cancer is related to the amount and duration of smoking; 3) pipe smoking is causally linked to the development of lip cancer; 4) cigarette smoking is the most important cause of chronic bronchitis in the U.S. and 5) cigarette smoking is related to the incidence of pulmonary emphysema, acute cardiovascular effects, and peptic ulcer. Several studies on smoking which have been conducted recently in India are also cited. Epidemiological data collected from all parts of India over a 10-year period have shown an increasing trend in the incidence of lung cancer. This and the high incidence of chronic bronchitis are attributed to the increase in smoking in the country. The government has required a warning to be placed on every cigarette pack. More restrictive measures against cigarette smoking are recommended. Education of the public to the hazards of smoking is necessary.