MY 8TH GRADE (IM 23 NOW) HEALTH TEACHER TOLD ME THAT SMOKING 1 JOINT IS LIKE SMOKING 10 CIGARETTES, BUT MY POTHEAD FRIEND SAID THAT CIGARETTES ARE WORSE FOR YOUR LUNGS.
2007-03-09 11:45:33 · 15 answers · asked by FASDASDF A 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
No scientific data are available comparing lung toxicity of smoke from tobacco burning and THC. The only thing that can be said is that the way that a joint is smoked is different than the way a cigarette is smoked; during joint smoking, the user is trying to keep the inhaled smoke in contact with his/her lungs as long as possible before exhaling it and this definitely amplifies any possible toxic effects on the lungs; so, the amount of smoke that your lungs are exposed to when smoking a joint is definitely higher than when smoking a cigarette; the qualitative difference between the toxicity of joint and cigarette smoke needs to be studied further though before making any conclusions about the overall effects....
2007-03-09 11:59:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have also heard the same thing in high school health class (i am now 26) so this "myth" must be pretty common right?
The average Tar content of Cigarettes (circa 1998, when I was in high school) was anywhere between 5-24mg of tar, depending on the brand (see first source).
The average amount of Tar in marijuana (i read 3-5 times higher, and 7 times higher, 2nd and 3rd links) is definitely higher, and we do have to think of the variable that there is no regulation or "standard" on the size of a joint.
Based on this evidence, yes it could be true that a joint is like smoking 10 cigarettes, that is of course is depending on what type of cigarette, and how big or fat your joint is.
I am by no means "pro-marijuana", but rather thinking that this is a scare tactic used by teachers/adults to scare us kids. So what's the message that was conveyed to us as children? Smoke cigarettes, they're safer!!!
I also have to point out that I smoke about 11/2 packs of cigarettes a day. I would have to smoke an awful lot of pot to eqivilate to that, now wouldn't I? That is roughly 330 mg/tar I consume a day (camel lights is my brand). So let's say we'll take the average tar content on my marijuana research (3-7 times, so 5 will be the average) So that would be 55 mg/tar per joint (remember this is hypathetical). With this I would have to smoke 6 joints to equal that amount of tar. I don't know about you , but It's been a couple of years since my last joint, I'd be ripped and I don't think I'd make it to 6!!
What the hell is the point? The average person who smokes, will smoke many more cigarettes than joints in a given day (or at least I hope, if not, stay off the road).
Winner: myth busted, marijuana wins (this time)!!!
2007-03-09 12:22:16 · answer #2 · answered by mattyjmania 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm less sure than the other answerers. I think the problem is the spun glass filters. I can't see how inhaling smoke can be considered good, but the filter may make a sore place in the lung which festers and creates a source for a cancer to morph. Snopes will say this is a lie... but all the old people you see smoking do so with unfiltered cigs. Go figure.
2016-03-28 22:09:23 · answer #3 · answered by Niketa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
joints? eww blunts are better for your lungs... burnt paper is horrible to be inhaling! blunts are made from tobacco. just kidding i have no idea whats better for your lungs. both cause health risks... one is legal. but the illegal one is more fun while the legal one is just gross. i smoke weed because it broadens the mind. why do people smoke cigarettes? anyway, if you DO smoke weed, make sure you do you homework first, i'm in college and it's really the best thing a stoner can do. if i don't go to college... i'll end up working at mcdonalds, where will i get my weed? duh. so stay in school. marijuana, when used properly can motivate lifelong success, i use it as a personal incentive to do my homework... i smoke at least twice a week and i have a 3.7 GPA and will have a master's degree in business marketing by the time i'm 22... don't let anyone tell you weed is bad. certain people make bad descisions but anything could have made them do it. its the same thing with drinking, some people can drink and be sucessful and others will become alchoholics. its not the substance its the person. there are sex addicts who ruin their lives for pussy... but who's gonna make sex illegal... well i'm rambling and ima go now and take a few bong hits to celebrate the 98 on my last advanced microeconomics test. have a nice day.
2007-03-09 11:58:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
As a healthcare provider I think it is common sense that putting smoke into your lungs is going to cause damage. It all depends on the frequency of it and therefore the amount over a length of time. I think it is fact that joints are more damaging, but then again, how many are you smoking and how often as compared to the amount of cigarettes people usually smoke. Logically people usually do not smoke joints just like people smoke cigarettes...so to me this is really reaching to find a point to discourage pot smoking. There are better points to make if you really are trying to defend this point of view.
2007-03-09 11:56:20 · answer #5 · answered by tlbrown42000 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know which one is worse for your lungs, but the chemicals in cigarettes are, acetone (that is in nail polish remover), other chemicals that appear in rat poison and toilet cleaner, not only does it harm your lungs, but it really messes with your oxygen levels in your blood, and nicotine addiction, can cause blindness, gangrene and many other ailments including cancer. Whether you are using rolling tobacco and making your own cigarettes with or without a filter or you are buying packets of cigarettes.
Smoking a "joint" not only can harm your lungs but if mixed with tobacco you have all the harmful chemicals from the tobacco as well as the weed. The other harm you can cause yourself by weed use is Mental Health issues, addiction, anti social behaviour, crime...... the list goes on. Mental Health issues, psychosis, depression, schizophrenia, paranoia ... is it really worth it either way?
2007-03-09 12:12:44 · answer #6 · answered by nessiemonster 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your health teacher was kinda right but it is like smoking 7 cigarettes not 10
2007-03-09 11:54:30 · answer #7 · answered by OPIE-STANGTHANG 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Smoking a joint is like smoking 40 cigarettes. There are over 300 toxic chemicals in a cigarette.
Cancer is a horrible thing. Dying from lung cancer, emphysema, any lung disease is horrific. You will come to regret it as sure as the sun rises and sets.
When one day you can't even take 5 steps without feeling like your chest is going to explode...you just wait...go into a hospital and see what your future holds.
Yeah, you don't want to hear it...it can never happen to you..that's exactly who it WILL happen to!
I watched my neighbour slowly die with gunk pouring out the hole in his throat but he still smoked and drank that bottle of booze till his dying breath...it was disgusting to watch.
2007-03-09 12:23:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Over 50 years about the same
At least you won't go to jail for smoking tobacco
2007-03-09 12:14:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, both but joint is the worst. They spray that pot with all kinds of mess and there is not regulation on it because it is illegal.
I had friends in college that used to sell pot and you would cringe if you knew what they put on that weed for kicks and then they make jokes about it; that stuff is toxic
2007-03-09 11:55:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋