Final answer:
Cigarette smoking is responsible for 85 to 90% of lung cancer cases, making it the most significant type of cancer caused by smoking due to the carcinogens in tobacco smoke. Lung cancer is not only the most prevalent cancer among smokers but also the leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of several types of cancer due to the presence of carcinogens in tobacco smoke. Among these, lung cancer is the most significantly associated with smoking, with an estimated 85 to 90% of lung cancer cases being caused by cigarette use. This strong correlation is attributed to the various harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke, such as nicotine, that have been shown to induce cancerous changes in the lungs.
In addition to lung cancer, cigarette smoking also increases the risk of other types of cancers, including throat cancer, larynx cancer, and bladder cancer. However, lung cancer remains the most prevalent among smokers and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, due to the duration and direct exposure of the lungs to the inhaled smoke.
Figures in health literature, such as Figure 1.7.3, demonstrate the myriad of adverse effects smoking has on health, with lung cancer being highlighted prominently. Additionally, cancer mortality data reflect the impact of lung cancer amongst smokers, indicating the substantial risk that smoking presents for this disease.