Shisha Smoking to Cause One Million Lung Cancer Cases by 2050: WHO Study
SCMP · 1 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
A World Health Organization study has projected that water pipe smoking, commonly known as shisha, will contribute to approximately one million new lung cancer cases globally between 2025 and 2050. The research, led by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), was presented at the World Cancer Congress held in Hong Kong in late September. The study highlights that developing countries with low human development indices will bear the heaviest burden of these preventable cancer cases.
Key Points
- IARC scientists estimated 82 million new lung cancer cases worldwide between 2025 and 2050, with 944,700 (1.1%) attributable to water pipe smoking
- The Western Pacific region is projected to account for 350,400 water pipe-related lung cancer cases, the highest number globally
- Europe follows with 265,700 cases, while the Eastern Mediterranean region (covering the Middle East) has the highest proportion at 5.1%
- Dr Mahdi Sheikh from IARC stated that the burden will cluster in countries with the least resources, which can least afford to manage cancer cases
- Traditional cigarettes remain the primary cause of lung cancer, accounting for 60 to 70 per cent of all cases, alongside air pollution and occupational exposure
Why It Matters
The study reveals a significant and preventable cause of cancer mortality that disproportionately affects developing nations. As Dr Sheikh noted, every percentage point translates to real lives that could be saved through targeted public health interventions and tobacco control policies in vulnerable regions .
The study reveals a significant and preventable cause of cancer mortality that disproportionately affects developing nations. As Dr Sheikh noted, every percentage point translates to real lives that could be saved through targeted public health interventions and tobacco control policies in vulnerable regions .