In no way can the WHO’s results be used legitimately to support the thesis that there is no effect or that there is a protective effect from passive smoking. The result does point towards a link between passive smoking and lung cancer and it is consistent with other major studies. And there are also sources of evidence other than epidemiology that support the argument.

CLIVE BATES Action on Smoking and Health, London, UK, Clive.Bates{at}dial.pipex.com, < http://www.ash.org.uk >