Alcohol and tobacco products are common substances that adults may use worldwide. However, both can increase the risk of various health conditions.

Smoking and alcohol use are common, and many people engage in one or both of these behaviors. However, these two habits are among the leading causes of premature death in the United States.

Both tobacco and alcohol contain harmful substances that can cause damage throughout the body. For this reason, frequent smoking and excessive drinking are risk factors for several health conditions.

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Cigarette smoking is the leading causeTrusted Source of premature, preventable death in the United States. It can damageTrusted Source nearly every organ of the body, harming health and causing many types of diseases.

Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS)Trusted Source, smoking is responsible for roughly 20% of cancer cases and roughly 30% of cancer deaths in the United States. It accounts for around 80% of cases of lung cancer, which is the most common causeTrusted Source of cancer death in the United States.

Smoking also increases the risk of many other types of cancer.

Other risks

Other health risks of smoking include:

The World Health Organization (WHO)Trusted Source notes that alcohol consumption plays a role in many types of diseases, injuries, and other health conditions.

Short-term

The potential short-term health effects of alcohol use can includeTrusted Source:

Long-term

The possible long-term health risks of alcohol use includeTrusted Source:

Previously, researchers thought there may be some benefitTrusted Source of light to moderate alcohol consumption. However, while more research is still necessary, the WHO statesTrusted Source that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption that does not affect health.

Read more about the effects of alcohol on health.

Both drinking and smoking are risk factors for many health conditions, such as cancer and heart disease. However, smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death worldwide.

According to the WHO, tobacco kills more than 8 million peopleTrusted Source around the world each year. This includes roughly 1.3 million people who do not smoke but die as a result of secondhand smoke exposure.

In comparison, the WHO reports that, in 2019, about 2.6 millionTrusted Source deaths worldwide resulted from alcohol consumption.

Cancer risk factors are aspects of a person’s health or history that can increaseTrusted Source their risk of developing cancer. Both smokingTrusted Source and alcohol useTrusted Source have links to the development of many types of cancer.

According to the WHO, roughly one-thirdTrusted Source of deaths from cancer are due to tobacco use, alcohol consumption, high body mass index, low fruit and vegetable intake, or lack of physical activity.

However, while both smoking and alcohol use can increase the risk of cancer, tobacco smoking is associated with a higher risk. In a 2019 studyTrusted Source, researchers compared the potential cancer risks of smoking and alcohol use. They found that while moderate alcohol consumption can increase the lifetime risk of cancer, it does not increase the risk as much as smoking.

The authors also note that consuming one bottle of wine per week has an association with an increased risk of alcohol-related cancers in women that is similar to the increase in risk associated with smoking 10 cigarettes per week.

A 2024 research review notes that smoking is one of the most significant risk factors for cancer development.

Cancer resources

To discover more evidence-based information and resources for cancer, visit our dedicated hub.

Both smoking and drinking can increase a person’s risk of cancer. By quitting smoking and reducing or stopping alcohol consumption, a person can significantly decrease their risk.

Smoking

The ACS reports that smoking is the cause of about 30% of cancer deathsTrusted Source in the United States. Health experts advise that quitting smoking is the best thing people can do to improve their life expectancy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, the risk of developing cancer decreases after a person quits smoking. Additionally, quitting smoking can reduce the risk of death in people who are living with cancer.

Drinking

A 2024 study suggests that roughly 20,000 U.S. adults die from alcohol-related cancers each year. Another 2024 studyTrusted Source notes that alcohol consumption, particularly excessive drinking, can decrease life span.

Growing research suggests that reducing alcohol intake can lower the risk of developing some forms of cancer. The authors of a 2023 review note that stopping alcohol consumption can decrease the risk of some types of cancer, especially those that affect the mouth and esophagus.

Smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol are common habits that can negatively affect health. Both can increase the risk of developing cancer and many other health conditions, such as heart disease.

Although both of these behaviors can negatively affect people’s health, experts advise that smoking is generally worse for health than drinking alcohol. Quitting smoking and stopping alcohol consumption can be beneficial for health and reduce the risk of related health conditions.