As a thoracic surgeon for more than 50 years at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, Cahan saw the health effects of smoking first-hand. He lobbied tirelessly to educate people about smoking’s dangers, and to pass laws protecting non-smokers from others.
Due to his efforts, New York City led the nation in public smoking laws, restricting smokers from public places, fighting against tobacco companies. He also confronted smokers one-on-one. “Bill and I are invited to the best of houses — once!” his wife once said.
He received the 1982 Distinguished Service Award from the American Cancer Society and the 1990 Life and Breath Award from the New York Lung Association. Dr. Cahan died October 7 at Sloan-Kettering. He was 87.