Individually, tobacco and alcohol cause thousands of cancer diagnoses in Australia each year.
But what many aren’t aware of is that for some cancers, the combined effect of alcohol and tobacco is even greater than the sum of their individual effects.
The risk of developing mouth and throat cancers has been found to be up to seven times greater for people who use tobacco and up to six times greater for those who use alcohol, compared to those who don’t use either.
While for heavy users of both alcohol and tobacco, this risk increases to up to 35 times greater.
This increased risk is because alcohol can enhance the toxic effects of cigarette smoke on some tissues, especially those in the upper respiratory tract.
Smoking is currently the leading risk factor contributing to disease burden in Australia, and causes many types of cancer with one in eight cancer deaths in the country due to smoking. Alcohol is carcinogenic, which means it is a cause of cancer, and its consumption is linked to at least seven types of cancer.
Jane Martin, Head of Alcohol Programs at Cancer Council Victoria explains, “Although most people know that smoking causes cancer, the link between alcohol and cancer isn’t as well understood.”
A strong relationship between alcohol and tobacco exists in Victoria with those who smoke being more likely to be heavy drinkers and vice versa.
In the 2019 National Drug and Strategy Survey, one in 20 Victorians reported both smoking daily and drinking at high-risk levels.
This use of both tobacco and alcohol was found to be more common among 30-39-year-old women and 18-29 and 40-59-year-old men.
Director of Quit Victoria, Dr Sarah White says that scientific research has established a strong link between smoking and drinking; doing one increases cravings for the other which leads to consuming more of both.
“Many people smoke more cigarettes when they’re drinking because there is a neurological interplay between nicotine and alcohol. Alcohol increases the level of feel-good chemicals produced in the brain from nicotine, leaving you wanting more of it,” she said.
There’s a similar, reciprocal response between cigarettes and alcohol cravings.
Nicotine affects how the brain responds to alcohol, leading you to need to drink more to get the same feel-good response as a non-smoker.
“The best thing you can do for your health is stop smoking as your body will begin to repair and over time, your risk of chronic disease, including heart disease, stroke and cancer drops significantly,” said Dr White.
“Quitline counsellors can help you build or maintain motivation to quit or answer any questions you may have, and the team can give you good strategies about how to avoid triggers to smoke when you’re out with friends.”
Jane Martin says there is no safe level of drinking when it comes to cancer risk.
“Alcohol is carcinogenic, which means it is a cause of cancer, and its consumption is linked to at least seven types of cancer. If you do drink, the best way to reduce your risk is to reduce the amount you drink,” she said.
