Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemical compounds, with some 250
known to be harmful and at least 69 known to be carcinogens. In addition, tobacco
smoke contains radioactive polonium, a known carcinogen. Smokeless tobacco is
not safe as it contains more than 3000 chemical compounds, including at least 28
known carcinogens. Because most of the carcinogens in tobacco smoke reach all
parts of the body through the bloodstream, it is not surprising that the risk of many
types of cancer is increased. The risks of marijuana smoke are not as well established
but there is reason to think that smoke from all sources carries risks to
health.

The body parts in direct contact with smoke have the greatest increase in the risk
of developing cancer. Tobacco and alcohol, especially in combination, increase
the risk for cancers of the mouth, larynx, and throat. Smoking increases the risk of
cancers of the mouth and pharynx by eight times. One or two packs of cigarettes a
day increase the risk of lung cancer about 20 to 25 times over that of non-smokers
and accounts for 87% of lung cancer deaths in men and 70% in women.48 Even
secondhand smoke increases the risk of lung cancer by 20% to 30%.49 Lung cancer
is not the most frequent cause of cancer, but it is the leading cause of cancer death
in both men and women, and it is one of the hardest cancers to treat. More women
in the U.S. die from lung cancer than from breast cancer.
According to the CDC, the risk of these cancers is increased by tobacco use:

• Acute myeloid leukemia
• Bladder
• Cervix
• Colon and rectum (colorectal)
• Esophagus
• Kidney and ureter
• Larynx
• Liver
• Nose and sinuses
• Oropharynx (includes parts of the throat, tongue, soft palate, and the tonsils)
• Ovary (a type called mucinous ovarian cancer)
• Pancreas
• Stomach
• Trachea, bronchus, and lung

This blog presents opinions and ideas and is intended to provide helpful general information. I am not engaged in rendering advice or services to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures and suggestions in that are presented are not in any way a substitute for the advice and care of the reader’s own physician or other medical professional based on the reader’s own individual conditions, symptoms or concerns. If the reader needs personal medical, health, dietary, exercise or other assistance or advice the reader should consult a physician and/or other qualified health professionals. The author specifically disclaims all responsibility for any injury, damage or loss that the reader may incur as a direct or indirect consequence of following any directions or suggestions given in this blog or participating in any programs described in this blog or in the book, The Building Blocks of Health––How to Optimize Your Health with a Lifestyle Checklist (available in print or downloaded at Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble and elsewhere). Copyright 2021 by J. Joseph Speidel