Cigarette smoking has been identified as an independent risk factor for many human diseases. However, the association between cigarette smoking and illegal drug use has not been thoroughly investigated. We have analyzed the 1994 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse to clarify whether cigarette smoking has any effect on the initiation of illegal drug use. The associations are consistent across age-strata and remain after adjusting for race and gender. This study suggests that cigarette smoking may be a gateway drug to illegal drug use.
Secondhand smoke is one of the more controversial public health issues.
It is controversial because laws regulating secondhand smoke create conflict between the rights of smokers and non-smokers. While many studies have found hazards in each of these four areas, there is some disagreement regarding the degree and extent of the threat posed by these hazards. Future research should discover more risks associated with secondhand smoke and suggest appropriate educational, medical, legal, and environmental remedies for this problem. Then society can establish prevention programs and enact laws which protect non-smokers, but at the same time infringe as little as possible on the rights of others. Most persons attending drug treatment smoke cigarettes.