[Mpls] I knew it! Smokers LIVE LONGER

[david at tcq.net]

Vicky writes:

> I always wondered why NO ONE would ever disclose the average age of
> "smoke-related" deaths.  Now I know.
> 
> According to the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, the life
> expectancy in the U. S. has hit an all time high of 76.9 years.
> 
> http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2001pres/20011010.html
>
> According to surveys funded by the federal government, a 60 year old
> female
> smoker will live to be 84.2 years old and a 60 year old male smoker will
> live to be 78.1 years old.
> 
> http://www.forces.org/evidence/carol/carol8.htm

Ok, first off, the first study is different from the second one so they 
shouldn't be compared.

Next: the second citation is from the "Smoker's Rights Action group" 
(thanks for the link, Vicky). They don't link to the data they critique, 
or cite a source for the quote they dispute.

Finally, even considering source bias, the data they trumpet shows smokers 
die an average of 7 years earlier than non-smokers in all categories. 
Don't think that's an argument against a smoking ban...unless you've got 
an average of 7 years you're willing to cede.

David Brauer
Kingfield