More People Who Died as a Result of Smoking Quiz

Answer: Carl Wilson

Carl was the youngest of the Wilson brothers. he assumed much of the responsibility for the logistics of touring, and later, keeping the band going. A cigarette smoker since the age of 13, he was diagnosed with lung cancer in early 1997. In spite of being very ill, Carl Wilson continued to play and sing throughout the Beach Boys' entire summer tour of 1997 while undergoing chemotherapy.

He died on February 6, 1998.

Answer: Paul Newman

Paul Newman was nominated 8 times for an Academy Award as Best Actor, and also holds the distinction of being nominated for acting honors over five decades (the 1950s, 1960s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s). Mr Newman had quit smoking 30 years before his death but, unfortunately, the damage was already done. In fact, he once said he was amazed he had survived all that booze, smoking and car racing.

Doctors say that even though giving up smoking significantly reduces your chances of developing lung cancer, lung tissue cannot be replaced once it is gone or badly damaged. However, if you are a smoker and you do quit, your risk of developing lung cancer and other smoking-related diseases starts falling immediately.

Answer: Johnny Carson

Johnny Carson was a heavy smoker, and for many years, smoked on-camera. Apparently as early as the mid-1970s, he would say, "These things are killing me." His younger brother said that during their last conversation, Carson kept saying, "Those darn cigarettes." He died on January 23, 2005 of respiratory failure arising from emphysema.

Emphysema develops when the lung tissues involved in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide are damaged or destroyed. Essentially, the tiny air sacs in the lungs become stretched and enlarged, leading to a chronic cough and difficulty breathing. The most common cause of this disease is smoking, but air pollution, asthma and genetic factors can also lead to emphysema.

Answer: Carol Burnett

Carol Burnett was devastated by her daughter's death. As a teenager Ms Hamilton was cross-addicted to tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, which led to huge conflicts with her parents and other family members, and may have contributed to Carol Burnett and Joe Hamilton's marriage breakdown and eventual divorce. She overcame everything except for the tobacco addiction, and went on to star in "Fame and Rent", directed her own short films, and wrote several plays.

While smoking almost certainly did not help, perhaps genetics were against Ms Hamilton, as her father, Joe Hamilton, also died of cancer in 1991.

Answer: Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy Davis was a very heavy smoker, said to smoke at least four packs a day, and commonly performed on stage while smoking a cigarette. He was diagnosed with cancer of the throat in August, 1989. He was offered surgery, but refused it because it would have damaged his voice. Instead he was treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation, but it didn't have enough of an effect. Shortly before his death, his entire larynx was removed during surgery. He died on May 16, 1990, at the relatively young age of 64.

The hint is from a sketch on Laugh-In.

Smoking and alcohol use (both of which Davis was known for) greatly increase the risk of developing throat cancer as well as many other types of oral or head and neck cancers.

Answer: Jesse Owens

Jesse Owens suffered racial discrimination his whole life. In October 1936, Owens said "Some people say Hitler snubbed me. But I tell you, Hitler did not snub me. I am not knocking the President . . . but remember that the President did not send me a message of congratulations because, people said, he was too busy." He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom (the highest award that can be bestowed on a civilian) by President Gerald Ford in the late 1970s.

Answer: Peter Jennings

Studies suggest that smoking causes 87 percent of lung cancer cases.

Peter Jennings had quit smoking for nearly twenty years - and then the events of September 11, 2001 occurred. After a marathon session in which he reported the news for seventeen straight hours, he started smoking again. His famous on-air announcement took place on April 5, 2005. A visibly gaunt Jennings recorded his announcement ahead of time, and told viewers in scratchy voice that he would be back if possible, but he never returned. He was 67 years old when he died.

Answer: Bob Fosse

Bob Fosse had multiple addictions. He was a workaholic, possibly a sex addict, developed a dependency on drugs in his later years, and by all accounts, drank more alcohol than he should have. He was also a chain smoker, and after he had a series of heart attacks and surgery, his doctors begged him to stop - but he was very addicted to tobacco.

When he died, many of his friends expressed their amazement that Mr Fosse had lived as long as he had, given his lifestyle.

Answer: Joe DiMaggio

Considered one of the best baseball players of all time, Joe DiMaggio had a troubled personal life. He was a shy and retiring person who hated the spotlight. Unable to relate to other people, he had few friends and was estranged from most of his family, including his only son. In addition, he insisted on being introduced as the "Greatest Living Ballplayer" at events, and was known to physically attack anyone who failed to introduce him as such.

DiMaggio's marriage to Marilyn Monroe in 1954 lasted less than a year due to his jealousy and controlling attitude, but he was devastated by her death in 1962. He was a secretive person who had half-dozen red roses delivered three times a week to her final resting place (until his own death). He never married again. In October, 1998 Joe DiMaggio checked into the hospital for lung cancer surgery, finally being allowed to go home late the following January. He died on March 8, 1999.

Answer: Victor French

Victor French was a very good friend of Michael Landon, with whom he starred in Little House on the Prairie and Highway to Heaven. A heavy smoker, he was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in April 1989. He died two months later on June 15, 1989. Michael Landon died of pancreatic cancer two years later. They were both 54 years old when they passed on.