Smoking and Several Health Problems

An Italian study reveals that cigarettes not only cause severe health problems, but also 10 times more air pollution than diesel engines

Three cigarettes release more harmful particles than a modern diesel car’s exhaust, says a recent Italian study. The study compared levels of particulate matter produced by cigarettes with those produced by a so-called “eco-diesel� engine.

The research team of the Tobacco Control Unit of Italy’s National Cancer Institute, focused only on fine particulate matter, air pollution particles measuring less
than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, the size of cigarette smoke particles. The test was conducted in Chiavenna, a mountain town which has unusually low outdoor levels of air pollution.

he car used for testing was a 2002 turbo diesel that met European gas exhaust standards and ran on low-sulphur fuel. The cigarettes contained 1 mg of nicotine and 11.2 mg of tar.

Researchers started the car and let its engine run for 30 minutes. After airing out the garage for four hours, the scientists lit three cigarettes, sequentially, and let them burn for a total of 30 minutes. In an hour, the cigarettes produced 10 times as much particulate matter as the car.

“Since we utilised a room with a volume similar to that encountered in many offices and homes, the present data give cause for concern,� write the researchers. “Environmental tobacco smoke is a major source of particulate matter pollution.�

Newer diesel vehicles emit about 100 times less air pollutants than older gasoline and light-duty diesel vehicles. The study has come as a surprise to many — smoking is associated with health problems, but not usually with air pollution.