No If’s, And’s, or ‘Butts’ About It - Smoking Causes Cancer

There is no "May" - Smoking definitely causes cancer.

It almost seems as though everything can cause cancer, illness, or negative effects, no matter how beneficial the product is. From antibiotics and their stomach irritation warnings, to carbonated beverages and their likelihood of gastrointestinal effects, everything has its risk.

I take my chances with carbonation. I love a nice glass of diet soda in the afternoon with my lunch. It “may” cause me to have a little belching problem later in the day, but there are no guarantees. I’ve gotten away with no gastro effects, while other days I’m like a hot-air balloon ready to burst at any moment.

I also take my chances with watching television for extended periods of time, even though there’s a risk of eye damage. I live on the edge. We all do in one way or another.

This weekend, I was sitting at my mother’s kitchen table, and there was her pack of cigarettes on the table. I picked up the box wrapped in cellophane and read the side of the package:

SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING: Smoking Causes Lung Cancer, Heart Disease, Emphysema, And May Complicate Pregnancy.

There’s no “may”, “can”, or “in some cases” in there. It’s a proven fact that smoking causes cancer. Now, if we could only get people to pay attention, understand, or care enough to quit. Or at least look at safer smoking alternatives.