Tobacco Active and Passive Smoking

8. Conclusions on tobacco and cancer

• 8.1 Conclusions on active smoking
• 8.2 Conclusions on passive smoking

8.1 Conclusions on active smoking

The source document for this Digest states:

Evaluation

There is sufficient evidence in humans that tobacco smoking causes cancer of the lung, oral cavity, naso-, oro- and hypopharynx, nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, larynx, oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, kidney (body and pelvis), ureter, urinary bladder, uterine cervix and bone marrow (myeloid leukaemia).

There is evidence suggesting lack of carcinogenicity of tobacco smoking in humans for cancers of the female breast and endometrium.

There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of tobacco smoke and tobacco smoke condensates.

Overall evaluation

Tobacco smoking and tobacco smoke are carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).

Source & ©: IARC "  Tobacco Smoking and Tobacco Smoke, Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation"
Volume 83 - Chapter 5.5: Evaluation, 2004

8.2 Conclusions on passive smoking

The source document for this Digest states:

Evaluation

There is sufficient evidence that involuntary smoking (exposure to secondhand or 'environmental' tobacco smoke) causes lung cancer in humans.

There is limited evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of mixtures of mainstream and sidestream tobacco smoke.

There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of sidestream smoke condensates.

In addition, the Working Group noted that there are published reports on possible carcinogenic effects of secondhand tobacco smoke in household pet dogs.

Overall evaluation

Involuntary smoking (exposure to secondhand or 'environmental' tobacco smoke) is carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).

Source & ©: IARC "  Tobacco Smoking and Tobacco Smoke, Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation"
Volume 83 - Chapter 5.5: Evaluation, 2004