The Impact of the Interrelationship Between Smoking and Addiction on Lung Cancer: A survey study

Abstract

- Lung cancer remains one of the most prevalent and deadly forms of cancer globally, accounting for approximately 1.8 million deaths each year according to the World Health Organization. Despite significant advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, the prognosis for lung cancer often remains poor, largely due to late-stage detection and the persistent impact of key risk factors. Among these, addictionparticularly to tobacco, nicotine, and other drugs plays a critical and multifaceted role in both the development and progression of lung malignancies.(1)Tobacco smoking is widely recognized as the leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for nearly 85% of all cases. The addictive nature of nicotine, the primary psychoactive component in tobacco, creates a powerful dependency that sustains high levels of exposure to carcinogens over time. Beyond traditional cigarette smoking, the emergence of alternative forms of nicotine delivery such as e-cigarettes and vaping has introduced new variables into the equation, particularly among younger populations. These alternatives, often marketed as safer, are increasingly being scrutinized for their long-term health impacts, including potential links to cancer. (2) In addition to nicotine addiction, the use of other substances such as opioids, cannabis, and stimulants like cocaine has been implicated in altering pulmonary function, immune response, and cellular integrity in the lungs. While direct causative links between non-nicotine drug addiction and lung cancer are less well-established, emerging research suggests that chronic drug abuse may act as a compounding risk factor through immune suppression, inflammation, and co-morbid lifestyle behaviors, such as poor nutrition and continued tobacco use.