Pubdate: Sun, 15 May 2005
Source: Hindustan Times (India)
Copyright: 2005, Hindustan Times Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.hindustantimes.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/910
Author: Asian News International
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

MARIJUANA CAUSES THE SAME RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS AS TOBACCO

Washington -- A new study, by researchers at the Yale University, has found 
that smoking marijuana is associated with increased risk of many of the 
same symptoms as smoking cigarettes i.e. chronic bronchitis, coughing on 
most days, phlegm production, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

The study, which was published in the "Journal of General Internal 
Medicine," said that marijuana smoking may increase risk of respiratory 
exposure by infectious organisms, such as fungi and molds, since cannabis 
plants are contaminated with a range of fungal spores.

The study found that a large number of current marijuana use was defined as 
self-reported lifetime use and use at least one day in the prior month. 
Seventy seven percent of marijuana smokers also smoked tobacco.

The analysis statistically controlled for the number of cigarettes smoked 
per day. Individuals who smoked both marijuana and tobacco had increased 
rates of respiratory symptoms compared to those who smoked tobacco only.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman