Sunday 1 July 2007
The Institute of Cancer Research, a leading authority on smoking related cancers, welcomes the ban on smoking in enclosed public places, which comes into force this Sunday, as an opportunity for the nation to lower its risk of getting the disease.
Professor David Phillips from The Institute of Cancer Research said:
“As smoking is the single biggest cause of cancer in the world, this ban marks a huge step forward in the fight against the disease.
“There is compelling evidence from countries that already have bans in place that this legislation will encourage people to give up cigarettes. The moment that people stop smoking they start to experience health benefits, so it’s never too late to quit.”
In the UK alone more than 40,000 people die each year of cancers which have been caused by smoking. Smoking is well known for being associated with lung cancer; in fact it causes more than 90% of cases of this disease, which kills over 33,000 people each year in the UK. Many people do not realise that smoking also causes more than a dozen other types of cancer including mouth, throat, bladder, larynx (voice box) and colon.
The risk of many types of cancers increases with the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the length of time of being a smoker. However, if people who have been smoking stop, even well into middle age, they avoid most of their subsequent risk of lung cancer.
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Smoking in enclosed public places will be banned in England from 1st July 2007
For further information please contact:
Hannah Crabtree
The Institute of Cancer Research Press Office
Tel: 020 7153 5430
Out of hours: 07788 427856
Email: [email protected]
Notes to Editors:
About The Institute of Cancer Research
- The Institute of Cancer Research is Europe’s leading cancer research centre with expert scientists working on cutting edge research. It was founded in 1909 to carry out research into the causes of cancer and to develop new strategies for its prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. Website at: www.icr.ac.uk
- The Institute works in a unique partnership with The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, forming the largest comprehensive cancer centre in Europe. This relationship enables close daily contact with those on the frontline in the fight against cancer - the clinicians, the carers and most importantly, the patients.
- The Institute is a charity that relies on voluntary income. The Institute is one of the world’s most cost-effective major cancer research organisations with over 90p in every £ directly supporting research.