UK public ‘uninformed about links between smoking and cancer’

Many members of the British public are currently unaware of the full range of cancers that are associated with smoking habits, according to a new Cancer Research UK study.

A survey of more than 4,000 people has revealed that around two-thirds of respondents understand that smoking causes cancers of the lung, mouth and throat.

By contrast, less than 20 percent knew that tobacco is also associated with eight other cancers, including leukaemia and cancers of the liver, pancreas, bowel, kidney and bladder.

The research charity warned that cigarette smoke contains more than 70 carcinogenic chemicals and causes more than a quarter of all cancer deaths in the UK.

Jean King, Cancer Research UK's director of tobacco control, said: "Once a smoker is hooked it can be extremely difficult and take years to quit. The longer a person smokes, the greater the risk of illness."

This comes after campaigners congregated outside the Houses of Parliament last week in support of a Cancer Research UK initiative calling for the introduction of plain packaging for cigarettes sold in the UK.