Worried about the growing number of young people with respiratory problems, scientists from New Zealand, studying this phenomenon,
found a close relation between drugs and lung cancer – smoking a joint is equal to a pack of cigarettes, in terms of lung cancer risks – a statement from scientists from New Zealand, worried about a disease epidemic, associated to this herb. Studies have already demonstrated that marijuana causes cancer, but such a strong bond had not yet been established between drug
consumption and lung disease. In an article published in the European Respiratory Journal, scientists state that marijuana is more damaging to the respiratory channel, because its smoke contains the double of
carcinogenic substances, like the polyaromatic hydrocarbons, than common cigarettes. Also the form of consumption increases the risk, since joints are usually smoked without an appropriate filter and up to the end, which increases the quantity of inhaled smoke.
The marijuana smoker inhales longer and more deeply, which makes it easier for carcinogenic substances to deposit in the respiratory channels. As this is common practice, the marijuana consumer assimilates five times more carbon monoxide in the blood current than the common smoker, stated, by telephone, the coordinator of the scientific work, Richard Beasley, of the Institute of Medical Inquiry of New Zealand. " There are higher concentrations of carcinogenic substances in the smoke of marijuana. What intrigues us is that much more is done related to tobacco problem and so less related to marijuana. "<
Investigators interviewed 79 patients with lung cancer, in the attempt to identify the chief causes, like tobacco, family background and occupation. Surprisingly, the chief causes were alcohol and marijuana addictions. Within the group of high exposure, the risk of lung cancer grew 5,7 times in patients who have smoked more than a joint per day for 10 years, or two joints per day for 5 years – already taking into account other variables, like tobacco. "Although our study includes a relatively small group of people, its results clearly show that marijuana consumption for a longer period increases the risk of lung cancer", Beaseley wrote. And he warns: " We came to the conclusion that marijuana consumption can already be responsible for one in 20 cases of lung cancer diagnosed in New Zealand. Shortly, we will assist to an epidemic of the disease related to those carcinogenic substances. And the future risk probably applies to many other countries, in which the growing use of marijuana among young adults and adolescents is becoming a serious problem of public health. "