From poison to medicine was a big step, that mankind has made in ages. The link between smoking and cancer has been demonstrated relatively early, but not causality and them. Moreover, the worrisome statistics demonstrating that deaths from smoking have not reached public attention only in very late.

Only in 1952 Reader's Digest magazine published a study that detailed the dangers of smoking. Until 1954, major companies producing cigarettes in the U.S. have formed a council to monitor the execution of smoking and to take measures to decrease risks. Such filters have appeared on cigarettes and poor content variations in tar and nicotine, which promised a flaw more ... healthy.

Before smoking became a matter of public interest, as is now the world has discovered the harmful effects that this usually has on health. In 1964, Surgeon General presented a report stressing the risks that smoking has in connection with the production or aggravation of certain diseases.

They were followed a series of media campaigns in the Great Britain and in the United States, then expanded into other European countries, which have finally prevent the diffusion of television advertising of tobacco products.

But no scientific research could not directly link smoking to various diseases (which predispose only), and processes have been concluded without a finding in favor of a brawl between the parties. After 1982 is the first step towards banning smoking in public spaces, especially at work.