| Revision as of 02:49, 23 June 2002 edit213.253.40.107 (talk)m Smoking continues to be a major problem because of smokers' addiction to the nicotine in tobacco smoke, and the vigorous marketing of cigarettes by the tobacco industry. | Revision as of 02:51, 23 June 2002 edit undo213.253.40.107 (talk) lung cancerNext edit → | ||
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| ] '''smoking''', particularly the smoking of ]s, is believed to be by far the main cause of ], which in at least in theory makes it one of the easiest diseases to prevent. An estimated 80% of |
] '''smoking''', particularly the smoking of ]s, is believed to be by far the main cause of ], which in at least in theory makes it one of the easiest diseases to prevent. An estimated 80% of lung cancers result from smoking, due to the hundreds of known carcinogens, such as benzene, present in cigarette smoke. The length of time that a person continues to smoke as well as the amount smoked increases there chances of contracting lung cancer. However if someone stops smoking then these chances steadily decrease as the damage to their lungs is repaired. | ||
| Passive smoking, whereby exhaled smoke is taken up by other people, has recently been identified as a much larger cause of lung cancer in non-smokers than previously believed. The ] (EPA) in 1993 concluded that about 3,000 lung-cancer related deaths were caused by passive smoking every year, however the true extent is still being contested among scientists. | Passive smoking, whereby exhaled smoke is taken up by other people, has recently been identified as a much larger cause of lung cancer in non-smokers than previously believed. The ] (EPA) in 1993 concluded that about 3,000 lung-cancer related deaths were caused by passive smoking every year, however the true extent is still being contested among scientists. | ||
Revision as of 02:51, 23 June 2002
Tobacco smoking, particularly the smoking of cigarettes, is believed to be by far the main cause of lung cancer, which in at least in theory makes it one of the easiest diseases to prevent. An estimated 80% of lung cancers result from smoking, due to the hundreds of known carcinogens, such as benzene, present in cigarette smoke. The length of time that a person continues to smoke as well as the amount smoked increases there chances of contracting lung cancer. However if someone stops smoking then these chances steadily decrease as the damage to their lungs is repaired.
Passive smoking, whereby exhaled smoke is taken up by other people, has recently been identified as a much larger cause of lung cancer in non-smokers than previously believed. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1993 concluded that about 3,000 lung-cancer related deaths were caused by passive smoking every year, however the true extent is still being contested among scientists.
Smoking continues to be a major problem because of smokers' addiction to the nicotine in tobacco smoke, and the vigorous marketing of cigarettes by the tobacco industry.