Whether you are trying to save money, managing a health diagnosis like cancer, or expecting a child, quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. However, it is evident that myths and false information still exist, and people continue to smoke despite the well-established dangers.
Smoking & Cancer – Facts vs Fiction
Up to 90% of smokers relapse within the first year of quitting. The good news is that for every year that a person does not smoke, their chance of relapsing decreases by 4%. To help you stay informed and motivated, let’s debunk 7 common myths about smoking and cancer, with facts backed by science.
Myth 1: Smoking Only Affects the Lungs
Truth: Smoking increases the risk of at least 17 types of cancer, including:
Tobacco smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, at least 70 of which are carcinogenic. When inhaled, these harmful substances harm tissues from the mouth and throat to the lungs. Even worse, a single pack of cigarettes can result in over 150 new mutations annually.
Smoking also causes:
- Damage to blood vessels causes heart disease and strokes.
- Gum disease and tooth decay
- GERD and other digestive disorders
- Extensive cellular damage is brought on by toxins entering your bloodstream
Note- Organs like the bladder and liver can develop genetic mutations due to smoking (indirectly) that lead to cancer.
Myth 2: Secondhand Smoke Isn’t That Dangerous
Truth: Exposure to secondhand smoke increases a nonsmoker’s lung cancer risk by 20% to 30%.
The carcinogens in secondhand smoke are identical to those in smoke that is inhaled directly. Even a short exposure can harm cells and lead to the development of cancer(A study by the CDC). According to a 2018 study, exposure to secondhand smoke significantly raised the risk of lung and breast cancers in nonsmokers, particularly in women.
Myth 3: A Few Cigarettes Won’t Hurt
Truth: Even smoking fewer than 10 cigarettes per month significantly increases your cancer risk.
Compared to nonsmokers, occasional smokers had a nearly fourfold higher risk of dying from smoking-related cancers, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. The bottom line? There is no safe level of smoking.
Myth 4: Light Cigarettes Are Safer
Truth: So-called “light,” “mild,” or “low-tar” cigarettes are not safer and do not reduce cancer risk.
Cigarette packaging is no longer allowed to use these misleading terms. “No cigarette is safe,” the CDC says. The harmful chemicals and cancer risks associated with tobacco products are the same.
Myth 5: Only Smokers Get Lung Cancer
Truth: While smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, it’s not the only one.
Some Other risk factors include:
- Being exposed to asbestos
- Radon gas
- Diesel exhaust and air pollution
- Genetic predisposition
- Exposure to radiation
- Drinking water containing arsenic
- Meats that have been processed and preserved
Myth 6: Cigars Are Safe Because You Don’t Inhale
Truth: Cigar smoke is just as harmful and often more concentrated than cigarette smoke.
Toxic chemicals can get into your mouth, throat, lips, and esophagus even if you don’t breathe them in. Cancers can still develop from ingesting saliva contaminated with these toxins. Cigar smokers may have lower lung cancer rates than cigarette users, but still significantly higher than nonsmokers.
Myth 7: Cutting Back is Good Enough
Truth: Smoking even 1–4 cigarettes a day increases your risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Every cigarette harms your DNA, blood vessels, and lungs, according to the CDC. Similarly, decreases in lung function were observed in both light and heavy smokers in a 2019 study at Columbia University. In short, cutting back is not the same as quitting.
Final Thought: The Best Time to Quit is Now
There are both short-term and long-term advantages to quitting smoking, regardless of how long you’ve been smoking. You lower your risk of heart disease, cancer, and early death with each cigarette you stay away from. Regardless of whether you smoke often, occasionally, or are around secondhand smoke, taking action now could save your life.
FAQs
Is it true that smoking only causes lung cancer?
No, smoking is associated with at least 17 cancers, not just lung cancer, but also cancers of the bladder, breast, pancreas, and throat.
Can secondhand smoke cause cancer in non-smokers?
Indeed. Long-term exposure to secondhand smoke can raise nonsmokers’ risk of developing lung and breast cancer by as much as 30%.
Are light or low-tar cigarettes safer than regular ones?
No. “Light” or “low-tar” cigarettes are equally as dangerous as regular cigarettes, as they contain chemicals that cause cancer.
Is occasional smoking or social smoking safe?
When compared to non-smokers, smoking even a few cigarettes per month may increase your risk of developing cancer. There is no safe amount.
Are cigars less harmful because you don’t inhale?
Not true. High levels of harmful chemicals in cigar smoke can have an impact on the mouth, throat, and esophagus, even when no inhalation occurs.
Does cutting down on smoking reduce your cancer risk?
Although it helps, cutting back is not enough. Quitting entirely is the only way to decrease the risk of cancer.
What are other causes of lung cancer besides smoking?
In addition to tobacco use, other risk factors include radiation, genetics, air pollution, radon gas, asbestos exposure, and more.
