This book comprehensively summarizes the adverse effects of tobacco smoking on human health. The current second edition has integrated a large set of new data that have been published in numerous scientifc studies and meta-analyses over the past few years. Unfortunately, the harmful sequelae of tobacco smoking are played down by the ind- try and politicians in many industrialized countries. However, about 800,000 people/year in the EU die from the immediate consequences of smoking. The particularly insidious feature of tobacco consumption is that smoking-attributable harmful effects on health do not generally become apparent until three or four decades after smoking initiation. Although some positive changes in the legislative handling of tobacco have appeared in the past fve years, we still need to form a pact, sealed by politicians, the medical prof- sionals, teachers and the media, to target the problem across nations. In this respect, a minority of countries, including the USand the UK, have given positive examples. There are four areas that need to be improved in future: (1) strict bans on tobacco adv- tisement on a global level, (2) better measures to protect against side-stream (passive) smoke exposure, (3) establishment of prevention programs, especially for children and (4) tre- ment of tobacco addiction.
From the reviews of the second edition:
"This is a book for every person who has an interest or has been affected by tobacco in their lives, whether physicians, sociologists, economists, teachers, or members of the media. The authors are highly regarded researchers. ... This is a detailed account of the history of tobacco usage, the pathophysiology, the social ramifications, the comorbid conditions associated with smoking that are not intuitively recognized, the addiction problems, and finally prevention. ... It is an important addition to every scholastic library." (Vincent F. Carr, Doody's Review Service, March, 2010)
"Haustein and Groneberg set out to compile such an extensive compendium of scientific knowledge in a single volume of 455 pages. ... this book provides a detailed and heavily referenced description of the contemporary state of the relevant science. ... each chapter is fully loaded with wonderfully enlightening tidbits. ... This book is an excellent research compendium, convenient to use, and clinically helpful." (Jeffrey Brent, Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 304 (21), December, 2010)
"This is a book for every person who has an interest or has been affected by tobacco in their lives, whether physicians, sociologists, economists, teachers, or members of the media. The authors are highly regarded researchers. ... This is a detailed account of the history of tobacco usage, the pathophysiology, the social ramifications, the comorbid conditions associated with smoking that are not intuitively recognized, the addiction problems, and finally prevention. ... It is an important addition to every scholastic library." (Vincent F. Carr, Doody's Review Service, March, 2010)
"Haustein and Groneberg set out to compile such an extensive compendium of scientific knowledge in a single volume of 455 pages. ... this book provides a detailed and heavily referenced description of the contemporary state of the relevant science. ... each chapter is fully loaded with wonderfully enlightening tidbits. ... This book is an excellent research compendium, convenient to use, and clinically helpful." (Jeffrey Brent, Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 304 (21), December, 2010)