Smoking is hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain, and dangerous to the lungs. (King James I)

Well, it turns out smoking is not all bad. Oh, it can still cause your death in a grizzly manner, but nicotine, the main drug in a cigarette, can be beneficial. In 2001, it was discovered that there was an inverse relationship between PD and smoking. In fact, cigarette smokers are as high as 60% (another study says 44%)less likely to develop PD and that protection can last up to 25 years after the smoker quits.

Last April an Israeli research team:

"announced the results of genetic tests conducted on blood samples from 677 Italian Parkinson's patients, 438 of whom never smoked cigarettes and 239 of whom currently or used to smoke. Initial findings show a link between nicotine dependence and a protective mechanism against Parkinson's disease, but only in people who had been exposed to nicotine in the past."

The researchers found that certain genes become addicted to nicotine and protect the dopamine producing cells.

Good, but should we all take up smoking ?

Well, it turns out that while nicotine is the drug that has the bad reputation, it is a combination of nicotine and other drugs in the cigarette that cause life-threatening conditions; you know, like cancer & COPD, to name a couple. Nicotine alone may be beneficial. The researchers were quick to point out that "smoking-related illnesses outweigh the benefits", but they are continuing to search for a drug that has the benefits of smoking without having to smoke. That's good, I have never smoked and never will but, I would wear a nicotine patch if it is ever approved for PWP. If I started smoking, I might not be able to stop and would never want to be like Mark Twain who said:

"Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times."