Avoiding all forms of tobacco can greatly cut your risk of developing a number of cancers, including lung, mouth, stomach, cervix, esophagus, larynx, bladder, pancreas, kidney and acute myeloid leukemia. It is estimated that 90 percent of lung cancers [1] in the U.S. can be attributed to cigarette smoking.
Pipes and chewing tobacco should also be avoided. Compared with nonsmokers, those who smoke pipes and cigars have higher rates of lung, esophagus, larynx and mouth cancers.
Smoking is blamed for nearly one in five deaths in the U.S. Because cigarette smoking and tobacco use are choices people make, smoking is among the most preventable causes of premature death.
Also known as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) or passive smoke, secondhand smoke is a mixture of two forms of smoke that result from burning tobacco: Sidestream smoke comes from the end of a lit cigarette, cigar or pipe; and mainstream smoke is exhaled by the smoker.
Nonsmokers who breathe in secondhand smoke consume toxic chemicals and nicotine, just like smokers. The more exposure, the higher the levels of these chemicals in the body. Secondhand smoke is classified as a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing agent).
Many resources are available to help smokers quit. Many tobacco cessation programs are available. Medicines are another option. Nicotine replacement therapy (nicotine substitutes) provides nicotine without the other harmful ingredients. These nicotine products include
Links:
[1] http://cancer.beaumonthospitals.com/types/lung