Experts presented these results at a press conference in Budapest on Tuesday, noting that the improvement in these indicators is likely the result of anti-smoking measures, particularly the comprehensive indoor smoking ban.

The ban has also played a major role in reducing the harm caused by passive smoking.

Zoltán Kiss, Head of Data Science at MSD Pharma Hungary Ltd., pointed out that the change is most pronounced among men aged 40 to 59.

In this group, the incidence of smoking-related cancers fell by more than 60 percent over the study period. When broken down by age, the rate per 100,000 people among men aged 40 to 49 dropped from 96.5 to 39 between 2011 and 2023.

For those aged 50 to 59, it decreased from 505.6 to 194.3. The decline among women was also significant, at around 50 to 60 percent.

The expert emphasized that the data clearly shows that anti-smoking measures introduced over the past two decades have produced substantial results.

Smoking-related cancers, including lung, laryngeal, oral cavity, pharyngeal, and esophageal cancers, account for roughly 30 percent of all cancer cases.

He noted that the impact of targeted anti-smoking measures is measurable at the population level, and with proper analysis of available health data, key intervention points can also be identified.

Krisztina Bogos, Director General of the National Korányi Institute of Pulmonology, stated that smoking is responsible for nearly 20 percent of all cancer cases when considering all risk factors contributing to cancer development.

She stressed that restrictions and efforts to reduce smoking, the leading risk factor, have been implemented consistently across different political cycles.

These include the 1999 law on the protection of non-smokers, the 2003 ban on tobacco advertising, the comprehensive indoor smoking ban introduced in 2012, and the 2013 regulations on tobacco product sales.

Bogos also pointed out that lung cancer still represents a major health burden, and prevention and early diagnosis must continue to be given greater emphasis. She indicated that stricter regulation would be needed for heated and so-called alternative tobacco products.

Preventing people from starting to smoke, she stressed, remains essential.

Photo: Pixabay

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