General Question

Ivan's avatar

Would smoking lettuce result in health problems similar to those acquired by smoking tobacco?

Asked by Ivan (13494points) July 19th, 2009

I would think that all the toxins and carcinogens in tobacco cigarettes would have something to do with it, but Steve Buyer (R – IN) disagrees. See his statement here.

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9 Answers

peyton_farquhar's avatar

That there’s lobbyist logic.

Fly's avatar

There would still be smoke from the lettuce going into the lungs, so yes, some similar problems could occur, such as lung damage resulting in breathing problems, chronic bronchitis, etc.

However, as you stated, the toxins and carcinogens would not be present, so problems caused by those ingredients of tobacco cigarettes- lung cancer, for instance- would not occur.

And, no nicotine, so no lettuce addiction.

La_chica_gomela's avatar

Yes, it would be pretty much the same, actually. That’s what my prof (a doctor) told me during an anatomy class while we were looking at cancer lungs and healthy lungs. His example was “maple leaves” but it’s all the same.

When you burn stuff, there are carcinogens. You can get lung cancer from being around burning trash, burning forests, etc. And I’m a D, for the record.

The_Compassionate_Heretic's avatar

Commercial tobacco products have a lot of carcinogenic additives not found in the tobacco plant.

Facade's avatar

Why not just eat the lettuce like you’d eat weed (brownies)? =)

Ivan's avatar

@phoenyx

Yeah, I linked to that already…

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