CANCER cases caused by smoking are at an all time high, according to Cancer Research UK. Analysis by the charity suggests 160 people are diagnosed per day – nearly 58,000 per year. Fags are the leading cause of cancer in Britain and behind one in seven cases.
Smoking rates have declined but a growing population and damage done years ago mean disease is still on the rise . Health charities want the new Labour Government to follow through on Rishi Sunak’s pledge to phase in a total smoking ban . Dr Ian Walker, policy director at Cancer Research UK, said: “Six people are diagnosed every hour in the UK with cancer that was caused by smoking .
“Smoking is a uniquely toxic product and it has no place in our future.” Karis Betts, an epidemiologist at the charity, added: “Smoking remains the biggest cause of cancer in the UK and is responsible for 16 types of the disease, including some of the most common like lung, breast and bowel. “Stopping is the best thing you can do for your health.
” CRUK estimates 57,555 smoking-related cancers were diagnosed in 2023. It was a 17 per cent increase from 49,325 in 2003, and higher than the 56,091 in 2013, meaning the numbers are the greatest on record. The total number of all cancers diagnosed in the UK each year is about 400,000.
Chemicals and tar inhaled from burning tobacco cause damage to cells’ DNA that can lead to tumour growth. Lung cancer is the most closely linked to the habit, accounting for about half of smoking-rela.