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21 June 2004 - New Report Confirms Passive Smoking Causes Lung Cancer

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organisation has published its latest authoritative independent volume by international experts on various carcinogenic risks posed to humans such as:  selected chemicals/groups of chemicals, industrial processes, occupational exposure, lifestyles or biological agents.

This latest Monograph volume - IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans concerning tobacco smoke and confirms that passive smoking causes lung cancer.

The scientific working group of 29 experts from 12 countries concludes that:

  • non-smokers are exposed to the same carcinogens as active smokers

  • the typical levels of passive exposure have been shown to cause lung cancer among never smokers

  • second-hand tobacco smoke is carcinogenic to humans

  • smoking cessation, along with never starting to smoke, will remain the best ways to prevent cancer around the world in the 21st century.

The Monograph can be ordered via the IARC web site here.

 


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