It has been scientifically proven, time and again, that smoking leads to memory decline. Extensive research conducted by several reputed institutions, including the University College of London (UCL)(2003) the Erasmus Medical Centre, Netherlands(2008) and the University of Minnesota(2009) stand testimony to this long-standing fact. Yet, a study conducted recently, by the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, claims smoking creates stronger memories.

Speaking on the issue, Dr Surendra Shastri, chairman of the Smokefree Mumbai campaign said, "The article from the Baylor College of Medicine published in media looks like a typical, out of context 'cut and paste' report of the original scientific article engineered by the tobacco lobby. Far from improving memory, a more recent publication (August 19, 2009) in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, by Alvaro Alonso, MD, and colleagues from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, reported that current smokers were 70 per cent more likely than those who had never smoked to develop dementia and experience cognitive impairment. It also said that this can be further compounded by the presence of high blood pressure and diabetes. So let's stop getting impressed by baseless articles such as these. They are meant to supplement the ulterior motives of tobacco companies." Dr Shastri is also the head of Preventive Oncology at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

An earlier study conducted by the University College in London also displayed the adverse effects of smoking on memory loss. A number of methods were used for the assessment of cognitive function. Participants were shown 15 words for two seconds each and were then made to pen down as many words as they could remember. Also, in order to measure the level of speed and concentration, participants had to take a page full of letters and cross out as many Ps and Ws as they could find in a minute.

The results showed much lower scores for cigarette smokers in their 40s and 50s when compared with non-smokers, in activities that tested their memory and concentration. The heaviest smokers showed even lower scores, thus indicating a definitive relationship between memory loss and increased smoking. Even though the exact reason was not known, Dr Marcus Richards of UCL suggested that apart from direct brain damage by the constituent noxious chemicals in cigarette smoke, smoking hampers blood supply to the brain, thereby leading to a decline in cognitive function and an increase in blood pressure.

To further corroborate the aforementioned findings, another study conducted by the Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam (2008) on smokers and non-smokers above the age of 65, revealed a characteristic increase in the risk of stroke and 'silent' brain infarctions and henceforth cognitive impairment in smokers who survived into later life.

In spite of these findings, the recent article by the Baylor College of Medicine claims that smoking enhances memory. Nicotine, they say, 'tricks' the brain into creating memory associations between the surrounding environment and smoking behaviour, thereby enhancing memory. The study was conducted by Dr Dani and Dr Jianrong Tang of the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston and was supported by the National Institute of Neurology Disorders and Stroke and the National Institute of Drug Abuse.

The behemoth tobacco industry has made several attempts in the past to downplay the harmful effects of tobacco which is poised to kill a million Indians by the year 2010. With the recent series of concerted efforts from anti-tobacco lobbyists, the tobacco industry's efforts too will not ebb. It is therefore of prime importance for civil society to remain wary and sift out news that tactfully supports an industry that has for centuries, only been interested in serving its own purpose.

The Smokefree Mumbai campaign was launched on February 20, 2009 by the Action Council against Tobacco-India (ACT-India) to ensure the implementation of the national legislation passed on October 2, 2008 for smoke-free public places.