Cigarettes cause genetic mutations that lead to cancer.

Tobacco is known to cause cancer, but few global studies have shown this link.

Indian scientists have recently shown that genetic mutations caused by tobacco use can lead to cancer. The new finding is based on a genetic study of 383 patients with head and neck cancer undergoing treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and 383 healthy people.

Scientists have recently discovered that genetic mutations caused by tobacco use can lead to cancer.

Doctors found that 93% of the patients were tobacco users and the polymorphism of HLA-G, an immunomodulatory molecule that can inhibit immune cell activity, was higher in patients than in normal people. The team of researchers from AIIMS included Dr. Vertica Agnihotri, Dr. Sharmishta Dey and Dr. Lalit Kumar.

Research suggests that head and neck cancer is very common in Indian men and is largely due to tobacco use.

Dr. Agnihotri said cigarette smoke contains more than 50 carcinogens, especially nicotine.

“These chemicals can influence DNA damage by creating a ‘good’ free radical-producing environment. This can cause genetic changes in DNA,” she said.

On World No Tobacco Day, India's Health Minister JP Nadda and Director General of Health Services Jagdish Prasad inaugurated a campaign to create awareness among the people about the negative effects of tobacco use.

The World Health Organization is calling on countries to prioritize and accelerate tobacco control efforts as part of their commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

According to Zing