Christophe Clergeau· S&D

Nuanced

15% of cancers worldwide are attributable to tobacco

Omissions

• The 15% figure refers specifically to new cancer cases (incidence), not total cancer prevalence or cancer deaths. According to WHO, tobacco accounts for approximately 25% of all cancer deaths globally.
• The speaker did not specify the source, but the statistic originates from WHO-IARC analysis on preventable cancer causes.
• The IARC data on this topic was published in the context of a 2024-2025 analysis showing that roughly 40% of cancer cases are preventable, with tobacco being the leading preventable cause.

Sources

• PrimaryInternational Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Study examines tobacco among 30 preventable causes of cancer; tobacco is the leading preventable cause of cancer globally
• SecondaryLung Cancer Today - WHO-IARC AnalysisTobacco is the leading preventable cause of cancer, globally responsible for 15% of all new cancer cases