The Health Benefits of Tobacco Paperback – Import, 30 March 2004

Written in an easy-to-understand and matter-of-fact manner, this book tells the other side. Dr Campbell-Douglass has not done any of his own research! He QUOTES from research done by MIT, WHO, ICR and many others. Facts that have been known for decades, showing that LIGHT smoking of the RIGHT SORT of QUALITY products can actually bring health benefits. So put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Dr. Douglass is an anomaly in what is now deemed to be modern medicine. In an age where it takes great courage to stand apart from the orthodoxy of the now familiar anti-smoking movement, he demonstrates that he is willing to take a social and professional risk by remaining true to the ethics of science, no matter what the cost. By questioning the rationality, science, and ethics of the quit or die movement that has recently gained the ear of so many legislators, lobbyists, and do-gooders in the Western world, he points out the idiosyncrasies of what has now become a modern prohibitionist movement. You can say that he is a rebel of sorts, one with a cause.He begins by questioning the selective studies of the establishment, which try with much tenacity to blame almost every disease of modern man on the evil weed tobacco. Everything from heart disease, to cancer, to the "dangers" of 2nd hand smoke, he suggests that other factors, such as infection and bacteria for example, might also be overlooked accomplices in the war on modern disease. This is blasphemy of course, but so was the solar system to the clerics in the days of Galileo. By no means does he deny or discredit the "relationship" between the use of tobacco and disease. What makes Dr. Douglass different from the rest is that he urges that we must look at the whole picture. He also urges us to take notice of the political activism that is attached to the issue of tobacco. This is something that he warns has distorted the very premise of science itself. Activism is indeed dangerous to the progression of science. The world is not flat after all.The issue of a dose response relationship is strongly addressed; if you smoke more, you increase your chances of illness. This is true with alcohol, sugar, salt, and most anything that we humans enjoy. He is the only doctor (that I can think of) that speaks outside of the box by saying, go ahead and enjoy your 5-6 cigarettes ( or 3-4 cigars) a day; and by the way, don't worry about it; sounds like my kind of doctor.Daring to go where no one will, he bases the thesis of his book on the benefits of tobacco. That's right, the BENEFITS OF TOBACCO. He gives examples like how moderate (emphasis on the word moderate) consumption can protect against what he calls "Senile Brain Disease" (ie., Alzheimer's Disease), Parkinson's Disease, Tourette's syndrome, and Eclampsia, and Atopics Disorders.He also takes into consideration the social and economic impact of tobacco prohibitionist movement; not only in the Western World, but in the developing world, where believe it or not, tobacco is responsible for feeding and employing many of the world's people in developing nations. Hence, not only do smoking bans put bartenders and entertainers out of work in the 1st world, but they also upend the world economy. The WHO should take note. I won't go into too much detail; there are many interesting tidbits of information that have the potential to make even the most ardent anti-smoker think just a bit differently about that ancient weed called tobacco.... We should all just go out and purchase the book.Individualists and rebels alike will be intrigued and entertained alike.

A lot of interesting information about tobacco. Makes you question the hysteria from the anti-tobacco people. Good read if you smoke!

Well written book, enjoyed reading.....breaks the taboo....goes through major studies...over priced for its size but full marks to the good doctor for his courage...

The truth can be found - you just have to dig a little to find it. I have found Dr. Douglass to be not just informative - giving facts that make sense when pointed out - but trustworthy.