Creating a generation of people who never smoke could prevent 1.2 million deaths from lung cancer globally, according to a study led by researchers from the University of Santiago de Compostela, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and global collaborators published in The Lancet Public Health journal. The simulation study—the first of its kind—suggests that banning the purchase of cigarettes and other tobacco products among people born between 2006 and 2010 could prevent 1.
2 million lung cancer deaths in 185 countries by 2095. The findings indicate that creating a so-called tobacco-free generation could reduce the impact of smoking on lung cancer deaths in future generations . Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide.
It is the biggest risk factor for lung cancer and is estimated to cause more than two-thirds of the 1.8 million deaths from the disease each year. "Lung cancer is a major killer worldwide, and a staggering two-thirds of deaths are linked to one preventable risk factor— tobacco smoking .
Our modeling highlights how much there is to gain for governments considering the implementation of ambitious plans towards creating a tobacco-free generation," said author Dr. Julia Rey Brandariz, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. "Not only could this save huge numbers of lives, it could massively reduce the strain on health systems of treating and caring for people in ill health as a result of smoking.
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