Smoking and tobacco
Tobacco smoking is the largest preventable cause of cancer, responsible for more cancer deaths in Australia than any other single factor. It is also directly responsible for many heart and lung diseases. Smoking affects the smoker, as well as those around them.
Here you will find information on the effects of smoking, help with stopping smoking and details about Cancer Council's work to reduce the harm caused by tobacco.
For more information about smoking, tobacco and e-cigarettes, see Cancer Council's position statements.
Why you should quit smoking
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide with most cases attributed to smoking. In Australia, about 90% of lung cancer cases in men and 65% in women are estimated to be a result of tobacco smoking.
As soon as you quit smoking, there are immediate and long-term health benefits, even if you already suffer from smoking-related health problems. Quitting smoking reduces your risk of dying prematurely with quitting earlier resulting in greater reductions.
66 Australians die from smoking-related illness every day.
Smoking can also cause 15 other types of cancer, including oral cavity, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, bowel, liver, pancreas, nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, larynx, uterine, cervix, ovary, urinary bladder, kidney, ureter and bone marrow (myeloid leukaemia).
Tobacco smoke contains more than 7000 chemicals, over 70 of which are known to cause cancer. When you inhale cigarette smoke, these chemicals enter your lungs and spread through your body via the blood and lymph systems.
Secondhand smoke and cancer risk
Chemicals in tobacco will also affect people who are exposed to your cigarette smoke. Second-hand or passive smoking poses health risks to adults similar to active smoking, and has also been associated with sudden infant death syndrome and asthma in children.
