WHO DENIES REPORT IT SUPPRESSED DATA ON PASSIVE SMOKE

The World Health Organization has angrily denied reports in the British
media that it had suppressed a study showing that secondhand smoke doesn't
cause lung cancer.

Articles in London's Sunday Telegraph and Monday's Times of London said the
seven-year study was an embarrassment to the agency.

British-American Tobacco Co. said the study casts "further doubt" on the
health effects of passive smoking.

WHO countered in a statement Monday, saying the study had not been with
held and that its design was the reason it could not conclusively link
cancer with secondhand smoke.

"Passive smoking does cause cancer. Do not let them fool you," WHO said.