Control of Tobacco-related Cancers and Other Diseases

Tobacco use is widely recognized as the most important preventable cause of death and disease in the world today. In most countries its use is synonymous with cigarette smoking, but in some tobacco is more frequently used in other forms. The health consequences of cigarette smoking and other forms of tobacco use encompass a wide spectrum of diseases including cancers of the mouth, larynx, lung, pharynx and oesophagus; diseases of the heart, circulatory system and lungs; and if used during pregnancy, adverse effects on the foetus. Even second hand passive smoking is shown to cause and influence the risks of diseases. Tobacco control in any country, however, is not simply a health problem. It has major implications for economics, agriculture, law and individual and social behaviour. Therefore, tobacco control must involve a multidimensional, multidisciplinary approach. In this volume, the issue of tobacco control is addressed from many points of view by leading international experts in clinical medicine, public health, biostatistics and behavioural sciences, agriculture, law and policy analysis. The articles provide an in depth overview of the various topics central to the theme of tobacco control. This constitutes a valuable resource work on a subject of increasing concern, containing state-of-the-art reviews, original research papers, and thought provoking articles.