This latest report highlights the important and ongoing impact of tobacco smoking on cancer in Ireland. In 2022, on average, 10 people each day were diagnosed with a cancer caused by tobacco-smoking, according to the report which examines trends in tobacco-related cancers in Ireland from 1994 to 2022. Tobacco-smoking can cause at least 16 types of cancer including cancers of the nose, mouth, voice box, throat, food pipe, lung, breast, liver, stomach, kidney, pancreas, bowel, ovary, bladder, cervix, and bone marrow. 

Key facts: 

• In 2022, tobacco-smoking caused over 3,750 cases of cancer (or 14.7% of all invasive cancers (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers)). This means that in Ireland, on average 10 people each day were diagnosed with a cancer caused by tobacco-smoking.
• The risk of developing cancer due to tobacco smoking varies according to the cancer type examined, but the risk is greatest for cancers of the lung and larynx, and is also higher for bladder, pharyngeal and oesophageal cancers.
• Considering trends from 1994 to 2022, the incidence rate of most tobacco-related cancers was decreasing or stabilising. The mortality rate of most tobacco-related cancers was also decreasing or stabilising.

• For most tobacco-related cancers the proportion of people who survive their cancer for at least five years following diagnosis is improving.

   

What the numbers tell us about different groups:

• Tobacco-related cancers are, in general, more common among men.
• Tobacco-smoking increases the risk of three types of cancer specific to women –breast cancer, cervical cancer and an uncommon type of ovarian cancer (mucinous ovarian cancer).
• Tobacco-related cancers are more common among those living in areas with greater social disadvantage compared to those living in more affluent areas.