Scientists in the UK, funded by a grant from the Medical Research Council, say they have found the reason why some people who smoke do not or have a much lower chance of developing lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. COPD is a disease that leads to breathlessness, coughing and repeat chest infections and includes diseases such as bronchitis and emphysema. (BBC News). Smoking is the number one cause of COPD. It affects some three million people in the UK and is the third leading cause of death in the United States (National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute).

This study takes an observational approach at the subject by looking at a variety of data points from over 50,000 people, all volunteers from the UKs Biobank project. This project is a nonprofit organization that is following and constantly taking a variety of health-related measurements from over 500,000 people (Biobank).

The study found that certain sections of DNA maintain moderate to high lung-health, even after decades of heavy smoking (Independent). Certain genetic code was found more often in smokers than non-smokers, implying that certain people are more prone to smoking and nicotine addiction (BBC News). The study found that not everyone who has smoked for a long time will develop lung disease and contrasts that some people who have never smoked will inevitable develop such lung diseases.

The scientists looked at over 28 million variants in the participants’ DNA (The Guardian), opening the door to the possibility of the Texas Sharpshooter effect. When looking at so many factors, it is possible that the researchers found something that wasn’t really there.

Nonetheless, scientists believe their discoveries will make way for the development of new drugs and new ways of treating lung diseases will be uncovered. With this genetic data, scientists are hopeful that they will be able to improve existing treatments to help people quit smoking and even find ways to maintain healthy lung function in non-smokers (BBC News). Their findings have been published in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal, an important journal for medicine.

The researchers conclude that it is much healthier to not smoke in the first place. While lung health and function can be kept at a good level in those with favorable DNA, scientists say that there are still differences between smokers with favorable genes and people who do not smoke at all.

These discoveries, if proven accurate, will allow scientists to further develop medicines and therapies to treat smoking related diseases as well creating more effective methods to help smokers quit. With smoking levels stagnating in recent years, new methods of reducing these levels are needed in order to reduce even more the prevalence of such lung diseases along with other smoking-related diseases. It’s very important that this research is continued and that we can create a smoke-reduced environment for future generations.

So remember guys, don’t smoke, its bad for you! And for your viewing pleasure, here is a picture of a pug dressed as Sherlock Holmes.