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Subscribe to Pipes and tobaccos magazine click hereClarification - Winter 2010
Letters from readers
Alan Blum, MD
I would appreciate your correcting in a future P&T the comment attributed to me in regard to the relative risks of the various forms of smoking in the story on Ben Rapaport (“Ben Rapaport,” Summer 2009). In part influenced by Rapaport, I do indeed distinguish between the inarguable, myriad health problems caused by cigarette smoking and the far fewer risks to health associated with cigar and pipe smoking.
However, in no way, shape, or form have I ever become “somewhat of an advocate for pipes and cigar smoking, often convincing doctor friends of their beneficial qualities.” In the interview with the author [Bruce Harris], I noted that most individuals who are involved in efforts to curb tobacco use and promotion fail to make the distinction between irredeemably harmful cigarette smoking on the one hand and less hazardous cigar and pipe smoking on the other. I added that anti-smoking advocates by and large fail to acknowledge the pleasures of cigar and pipe smoking, but I did not use the words “benefits” and “beneficial” in describing pipes or cigars.
One could of course argue that the pleasures of cigar and pipe smoking include relaxation, which could be described as a benefit. However, although I would urge my colleagues to make the distinction between cigarette smoking and enjoying one or two cigars a week, this is a far cry from describing cigar or pipe smoking as beneficial to health, and I have never done so.
On a minor note, while I do often refer to Ben’s guide, “Museums with Interest in Tobacco,” I have never taken it with me while traveling.
Alan Blum, MD
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
P&T: P&T and its contributors always strive to achieve the highest levels of accurate reporting and Bruce Harris is among our most diligent and careful contributors. However, in this case we clearly failed to report your intended meaning. The fault here lies with the P&T editors, not with Bruce Harris. We generally submit articles to the principals involved before publication to avoid misunderstandings such as this, but we somehow missed this important step with the article about Ben Rapaport. We sincerely apologize for the misinterpretation of your arguments.
However, in no way, shape, or form have I ever become “somewhat of an advocate for pipes and cigar smoking, often convincing doctor friends of their beneficial qualities.” In the interview with the author [Bruce Harris], I noted that most individuals who are involved in efforts to curb tobacco use and promotion fail to make the distinction between irredeemably harmful cigarette smoking on the one hand and less hazardous cigar and pipe smoking on the other. I added that anti-smoking advocates by and large fail to acknowledge the pleasures of cigar and pipe smoking, but I did not use the words “benefits” and “beneficial” in describing pipes or cigars.
One could of course argue that the pleasures of cigar and pipe smoking include relaxation, which could be described as a benefit. However, although I would urge my colleagues to make the distinction between cigarette smoking and enjoying one or two cigars a week, this is a far cry from describing cigar or pipe smoking as beneficial to health, and I have never done so.
On a minor note, while I do often refer to Ben’s guide, “Museums with Interest in Tobacco,” I have never taken it with me while traveling.
Alan Blum, MD
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
P&T: P&T and its contributors always strive to achieve the highest levels of accurate reporting and Bruce Harris is among our most diligent and careful contributors. However, in this case we clearly failed to report your intended meaning. The fault here lies with the P&T editors, not with Bruce Harris. We generally submit articles to the principals involved before publication to avoid misunderstandings such as this, but we somehow missed this important step with the article about Ben Rapaport. We sincerely apologize for the misinterpretation of your arguments.
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