Risks are relative... FWIW, an Oxford group followed >1million women in the UK for seven years and published their study results this month. They show a strong association between cancer and alcohol- up to 1.5% extra risk for every additional drink on a daily basis and substantially greater if you smoke as well.

It's easier for a male: cardiac disease is such an enemy that cardiovascular benefits may justify any risks from a regular tipple but based on the above, women probably shouldn't drink or smoke, especially if they have a family history of Ca.

Meanwhile the World Cancer Research Fund decided to join in: they published a report this month saying that smoking, obesity, diet and inactivity are major causes of cancer in the first world and that 75% of cases of throat cancer, 70% of oral cancers, >50% of uterine cancers and 42 per cent of breast cancers are avoidable if people improved their lifestyles.

So those of us who aren't vegan triathlete teetotalers are doomed whether marijuana is legalized or not (at least until the next exciting/contradictory study is produced) ;-)