To Brian Collins: As I recall, the articles I saw said nothing about the longevity of smokers among PWP, but they did say that either (a) heavy smokers had disproportionately low incidence of PD, or (b) PWP included a disproportionately low number of heavy smokers. Before you rush out for a carton of Marlboros, note that the above results don't necessarily indicate a cause/effect relation. They could mean only, for example, that aversion to smoking and susceptibility to PD are linked genetic traits, or conversely, that craving tobacco and resistance to PD are somehow linked, Researchers did, BTW, remark that nicotine is not the tobacco component involved here, Cheers, Joe J. R. Bruman (818) 789-3694 3527 Cody Road Sherman Oaks CA 91403