Clearing The Air

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Smoking lowers Parkinson's disease risk

By Megan Rauscher

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new study adds to the previously reported evidence that cigarette smoking protects against Parkinson's disease. Specifically, the new research shows a temporal relationship between smoking and reduced risk of Parkinson's disease.

Not coincidentally then, Parkinson's disease is rapidly on the rise thanks to smoking bans and worldwide tobacco control activism. Newsday brings us the story:

The numbers of people growing old and living longer have led to ominous projections for Parkinson's disease. By 2030, there may be 80 percent more Americans with the disease, and the numbers will double in developing Asian nations, according to a new study.

Dr. E. Ray Dorsey and his colleagues at the University of Rochester say the prevalence will grow as populations shift in age. In 2005, there were an estimated 4.1 million people worldwide with Parkinson's disease. In 25 years, that number is predicted to climb to 8.7 million.

Don't worry though, I'm sure that the pharmacetical industry, which funded the smoking bans, will have an expensive new drug to treat your Parkinson's.

Here's a research paper which details the benefits of smoking and how it may help eliminate Alzheimer's disease.