Tobacco use causes many types of cancer
ShareCompartir
Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer deaths. It causes at least 12 types of cancer. People who use tobacco or are exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to get and die from cancer. Cigarette smoking causes 3 in 10 of all cancer deaths.
- Tobacco smoke has at least 70 chemicals that cause cancer.
- Exposure to secondhand smoke also causes cancer.
- States and communities can help by protecting nonsmokers with restrictions on smoking in public places, by supporting comprehensive cancer control programs focused on tobacco, and by making quit-smoking resources more available to those who want to quit.
Quitting smoking at any age can reduce the risk of getting or dying from cancer. Getting screened for cancer can lead to fewer people getting or dying from some tobacco-related cancers.
Surgeon General's warning
Cancer reference books
Healthy Schools
Tobacco use causes cancer throughout the body. (Tobacco use includes smoked [cigarettes and cigars] and smokeless [snuff and chewing tobacco] products that, to date, have been shown to cause cancer.)
Prevent cancer deaths from tobacco use.
Cancer and Tobacco Use
Cancer and Tobacco Use
About 1.3 million tobacco-related cancer deaths have been avoided since 1990
Cancer and Tobacco Use
Tobacco use causes 12 types of cancer.
Cancers linked to tobacco use make up 40% of all cancers diagnosed.
Cigarette smoking causes 3 out of 10 of all cancer deaths
Contact Information
CDC Media Relations
(404) 639-3286
media@cdc.gov
Vital Signs Links
Factsheet:
English [2.25MB]
Spanish [1.99MB]
Spokespersons
Lisa Richardson, MD, MPH
“Tobacco-related cancer affects every community. States and communities can support comprehensive cancer control programs focusing on cancer prevention, education, screening, access to care, and support for cancer survivors.”
“Doctors and nurses can use every visit as an opportunity to promote tobacco-free living. It’s especially important for people to understand that counseling and medications are available for tobacco cessation and fully covered by most insurance plans.”
Lisa Richardson, MD, MPH – Director, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control
Jane Henley, MSPH
“Tobacco-related cancer deaths have declined, but tens of millions of people in the U.S. still smoke, and too many people are dying before their time. We know how to prevent tobacco-related cancers, but we need more urgency in our actions.”
Jane Henley, MSPH – MSPH, Epidemiologist, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control
Related Links
Most Relevant
- Press Release: Cancers linked to tobacco use make up 40% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States – English | Spanish
- MMWR – Vital Signs: Cancer and Tobacco Use
- Vital Signs: Home | November 2016 Vital Signs | Fact Sheet PDF 2.25 MB | Topics
- Vital Signs: (Spanish) Home | 2016 Noviembre – Signos Vitales | Fact Sheet PDF 1.99MB | Topics
CDC Related Links
- Cancer Prevention and Control: English | Spanish
- Infographic: Lung Cancer Is the Biggest Cancer Killer in Both Men and Women: English | Spanish
- Lung Cancer Matte Article: English [PDF, 69 KB] | Spanish [PDF, 69.6 KB]
- CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health
- CDC: Caring for Cancer Survivors Who Use Tobacco
- CDC: Tobacco and Cancer
- CDC’s Tips from Former Smokers Campaign
- CDC: The 6|18 Initiative: Accelerating Evidence into Action
- CDC Tobacco Control Interventions
Multimedia
Podcast
- Vital Signs – Cancer and Tobacco – English | Spanish
- Vital Signs – Cancer and Tobacco – [PSA – 0:60 seconds]
- Page last reviewed: November 10, 2016
- Page last updated: November 10, 2016
- Content source: