The number of people using marijuana continues is steadily rising — more than 52 percent of Americans over 18 admit to using it at least once, legally or not — while the popularity of smoking continues to tumble.
The reasons for weed’s popularity from person-to-person: Some use it recreationally, while others use it to amp up their workouts or alleviate chronic pain and depression. Smoking, on the other hand, offers no tangible benefits and increases a user’s risk for lung cancer. Marijuana doesn’t carry that same cancer risk — or does it?
“People are under the illusion it is safe to smoke cannabis,” Dame Helena Shovelton, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, said in 2014. A report conducted by the foundation found that the dangers of smoking marijuana are on par with tobacco smoke.
The similarities between tobacco smoke and marijuana smoke
Any smoke has the potential to damage your lungs, no matter where it comes from.
“Heavy marijuana smokers also are likely to develop lung damage because marijuana smoke contains many of the same harmful chemicals as tobacco smoke,” The American Thoracic Foundation wrote on its website. Of the 70 cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco, 30 of those are also found in marijuana, according to the American Cancer Society.
Meagan Morris – Metro U.S. – August 11, 2017.
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