Survey Shows Lack Of Awareness Of Effects Of Smoking And Drinking

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A recent study has revealed that the majority of people are still unaware of the threat of drinking alcohol and smoking, despite the launch of public health campaigns. According to a new survey, 89 per cent of people were unaware that drinking and smoking increased the risk of mouth cancer significantly.

Research shows that drinking and smoking together increases a person’s risk of developing oral caner by up to 30 times, yet most people are unaware of the threat posed by the deadly duo and this is worrying news for dental and health experts. Almost half of people thought that drinking heavily and smoking doubled the risk, but very few people were aware of the real threat.

Dr Nigel Carter OBE, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, said that the results of the survey were alarming and called on the Government to do more to reduce alcohol consumption and improve awareness of the dangers of smoking and drinking.

This month, the BDHF is running Mouth Cancer Action Month to try and educate people about mouth cancer, a disease, which kills more people than testicular and cervical cancer combined.

Deborah Arnott, from the charity ASH, said that many people are aware that smoking increases their risk of developing lung cancer, but many are unaware that smoking is the main risk factor for oral cancer, a form of cancer, which is becoming increasingly common in the UK. Arnott joined Dr Carter in calling for the Government to ban glamorous cigarette packaging to make smoking less appealing to adults and teenagers.

 

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