Former Congressman, radio host, and Indiana Governor, Michael Richard Pence has defiantly opposed the Republican Party's stance on signature programs like No Child Left Behind and a Medicare prescription drug benefit.  He also debunked any claims that smoking kills. 

Contrary to what cancer specialists say that smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer, Pence said that 90 percent of smokers do not actually acquire lung cancer.  This is not the first time that Pence spoke about a pro-tobacco stance.

Smoking, Health, And Mike Pence

The Vice President-Elect Republican said in his now archived campaign website: "Time for a quick reality check.  Despite the hysteria from the political class and the media, smoking doesn't kill."  Pence added: "Two out of every three smokers does not die from a smoking-related illness and nine out of 10 smokers do not contract lung cancer."

Mike Pence was one of the 97 members of the House of Representatives who voted against the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act in 2009 and signed a bill to loosen the terms of the state's Clean Indoor Air Act by allowing new cigar bars to open in 2015.  In February 2016, he fought a bill passed by Indiana Republicans to improve roads that would have raised the cost of gas by a few cents and the the cost of cigarettes by $1 per pack. 

What Do Cancer Specialists Have To Say?

Smoking does kill. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking damages almost all the body's organs, including the lungs, heart, blood vessels, reproductive organs, mouth, skin, eyes, and bones.

More than 480,000 Americans die each year due to illnesses related to tobacco use.  Smoking is said to be the leading cause of about 30 percent of all cancer deaths in the United States, and roughly around 80 percent of all lung cancer deaths.  Lung cancer, one of the most difficult cancers to treat, is the leading cause of high cancer mortality rate in both men and women.