Tobacco Documents Online

_~C,L\C_ t ?E:LL,iIk_'\- _._'. 5o-J . - -;4 _,. .3J3 - 3-? - 6_.~1: I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I SR1T1S1-1 AMERICAN TOBACCo news release 8 March 19gB Europe's largest ever passive smoking study has failed to establish a meaningful risk of lung r=aneor to non-smokers. T he ;en year study, which was commisuwoned by the World Health t]rganiaation and involved twelve oentres in aeven countrles, has cast further doubt on the status of passtva emoking as a cau:id of dsease. Dr Chris Proctor, Head oi Sc:enaa for British Amenaan Tcbacco said: "New saientifiu researcr !rom the Wond Health Organisati0n has ihown the risk of lung cancer from environmental tobacco smoke to be either non-existerR or too small to oe meaaured at a meaningful levet." i he study found that it there Is any lunp cancer risk at all to nen-smokers from smoke m tne air, it Is so small thet it was unquarttlfiaWe at any meeningful 'mvtl. T he Intemetional Aqency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is psrrd u^9 World Heatlh Orgornsatton, In fARC's Biennial Report 1996 1flB71t reports the results of a study of non- uttokers from seven European countries, iroludng the UK The statistlcal study campared samples of tthe non-srnaklnq populatlon to sce if living, work ng or growinq up w th a smoker increases the risk ot lung cancer. None of the data reported by IARC round a stadstlcally valid Increase of risk for krnp cancer among non-smokera. Dr Chris Proctor said: 'hls srudy from the World Heath Orgonisation is the largest ever undertaker on envimnmental tobacco smoke in Europe. If this study cannot find any ctansUCally valid risk, yoj hwe to ask whether there can be any riek at all " Ir shori, the study failed to Md any staestlcally valid Increase in lung cancer nsk:n non- smokers who havo Prved, worked or graw up with smokers. Dr Chris Proctor sald: 'We we,come thls new study which ccrllrrns what'ne c,nd other scientiets have long believed,lhat whlte smoiang may annoy some non-smokers, the aaienoe does not show that being around a srnoker is a lung cancer risk. "Thls IARC Wudy repreeents many years of raaaarch. Whether it is eonaidend p;orte, or as the latest ot more than 40 srudlaa of this rype over the past 17 yesrs, the data dees not show any meani hQfur inerease in risk e1 lung cancer for a non-smoker axpo;:etl to envfronmental tobacco smoke.' -BNDS- Britiah American Tobacco Spokeapeopie ars availabfe for in8erriew as is a Beta tape with backgroUnd foota9e and a pra•recordad intervirar with BAT'a Head of Science, Or Chris Proctor. Please call Dagmar Schluter or Helens Chabran on 0171 439 1774 GII!ah•Am.ncrn 7ocaca (Hal01rgr1 un+lea Reg31a W m Enptend urcl w w~ np, 2e22St A manoar a n6a.A.T Indmmn qa Group