IN early 2021, politician and presidential election hopeful Bob Dole revealed he has stage-four lung cancer at the age of 97.

Dole, from Russell, Kansas, represented the state in Congress for almost 36 years before resigning from the Senate in 1996 to challenge Bill Clinton. On December 5, 2021, it was announced that Dole had passed away.

Does Bob Dole smoke?

It is not known if Bob Dole himself had smoked or has ever taken up the habit.

But Dole became synonymous with the Big Tobacco companies after making a series of shocking remarks about the effect of smoking on health.

During a visit to tobacco-growing Kentucky, the Republican once said it was not necessarily addictive.

On February 18, 2021, Dole – a World War II veteran – revealed he was in the middle of a battle with aggressive stage-four lung cancer.

Dole, 97, said in a short statement that he had been diagnosed and would begin treatment on Monday, February 22, 2021.

Dole said: "While I certainly have some hurdles ahead, I also know that I join millions of Americans who face significant health challenges of their own."

On December 5, 2021, Dole tragically passed away.

What has Bob Dole said about smoking?

During the 1996 presidential campaign where he ran against Bill Clinton, Republican nominee Bob Dole became ensnarled in controversy over his refusal to confirm that cigarettes are addictive.

When challenged on The Today Show, he declared “there’s a mixed view among scientists and doctors whether it’s addictive or not”.

He added that he thought Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, a tobacco critic, had been brainwashed by the “liberal media”.

At the debate, Dole refused to budge when challenged by an audience member who described himself as a 30-year ex-smoker: “Are they addictive? Maybe — they probably are addictive. I don’t know. I’m not a doctor. You shouldn’t smoke.”

He added: "My personal observations are that for some people it is addictive, and for others it may not be."

Dole later declared: "We know it's not good for kids. But a lot of other things aren't good. Drinking's not good. Some would say milk's not good."

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