Tobacco smoking has been linked to many harmful effects, including cancer. With the growing popularity of marijuana, a question arises: Does smoking marijuana have the same negative impact on lung health as tobacco? Two recent studies provide very different conclusions.
A longitudinal study conducted in Australia suggests that cannabis use does not increase the risk of lung damage any more than tobacco does, even after years of use. The study tracked 2,601 young adults aged 21 to 30, testing their lung function with a spirometry test, a common type of breathing test that measures how much air a person can breathe in and out….