UK public ‘underestimating health risks posed by cannabis’

Many members of the UK public are significantly underestimating the potential health risks caused by smoking cannabis, according to a British Lung Foundation report.

A survey carried out by the charity shows that 32 percent of the population believe that smoking cannabis is not harmful to one's health, rising to 40 percent among under-35s, the drug's core user group.

This is despite the existence of established scientific links between cannabis use and the onset of tuberculosis, acute bronchitis, lung cancer and other health problems.

Further data shows that 88 percent of the public believe tobacco cigarettes pose a greater risk, despite cannabis joints being 20 times more likely to cause lung cancer than standard cigarettes.

Dame Helena Shovelton, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: "We need a serious public health campaign … to finally dispel the myth that smoking cannabis is somehow a safe pastime."

According to data from the NHS, cannabis remains the most widely used illegal drug in Britain.