There is abundant evidence from observational epidemiology that smokers tend to suffer from certain diseases more frequently than do non smokers. There remains, however, an important question.
Why?
It may seem surprising after more than half a century of research that it is necessary, or possible, to ask this question, but after deliberating on the question for more than half of that period, I still do. What's more, the answers I get are neither clear nor simple.
Poor ignorant fool, you may say.
Poor I may be, but I do not think that I am especially ignorant or foolish.
Join me in this website as I suggest that the difficulty arises from regarding risk factors such as smoking as simple, independent entities. We need a multifactorial approach to epidemiology which can also bring toxicology, physiology and molecular biology into the story
This is a scientific website. If you want a story about bad people and conspiracy, look elsewhere, but if you like a good scientific quest, stick with me. The story is written in scientific language but do not be deterred if you are not a scientist. As far as possible, I will make it intelligible to the layperson.