Tobacco Seen As Harmful In Any Form

Back in medical school, we were told about the dangers of cigarette smoking but pipe and cigar smoke were seen as less harmful.

According to a new study in the journal Nature, pipe and cigar smoke may be more harmful than once thought.

Researchers conducted a study to determine whether pipe and cigar smoking was associated with elevated levels of cotinine--the end product of tobacco which can be detected in the urine.

They also looked at airflow to evaluate lung function. Those who did not smoke cigarettes but did smoke pipes or cigars were more likely to have airflow obstruction than those who had never smoked.

Clearly there is no free ride.