Smoking has clearly been identified as the major cause of a number of cancers affecting the mouth and throat. These include cancer of the lip, cancer of the floor of the mouth, cancer of the gums, cancer of the tongue, cancer of the lining of the throat (the pharynx) and cancer of the larynx (the voice box, which includes the vocal cords). Overall the figures suggest that smoking is the major cause of 9 out of 10 of these cancers in men and 6 out of 10 of these cancers in women.

All types of smoking carry a risk of developing these cancers. This include chewing tobacco, using snuff, smoking cigars or smoking marijuana (cannabis) as well as the more obvious risk from cigarette smoking.

The likelihood of developing one of these cancers increases with the amount smoked. The more you smoke and the longer you have been smoking then the greater the risk.

Stopping smoking does reduce the chances of getting one of these tumours. Within about 5 years the risk will be halved and by 10 years the risk will be the same as for non-smokers.

If someone does get one of these cancers then stopping smoking is still very important for at least three reasons:

• stopping smoking will make treatment more successful and reduce the number and severity of side effects during that treatment
• stopping smoking will reduce the risk of further cancers developing in the mouth and throat. About 1 in 4 people who continue to smoke will go one to get a second cancer at a later date
• stopping smoking will be good for your general health, reducing the risk of heart and lung disease as well as cancer.

It is also well recognised that alcohol also plays a part in the development of many of these cancers. Heavy intake of spirits and beer can be harmful (although wine, in moderation, may actually reduce the risk of these tumours).

If smoking and heavy drinking are combined then the risks are multiplied and this becomes a particularly dangerous combination.