Health campaigners highlight smoking and alcohol increase the risk of oesophageal cancer
This Oesophageal Cancer Month in February, Fresh and Balance is highlighting the combined harm from alcohol and tobacco, and how thousands of people in the North-East may be putting themselves at higher cancer risk.
Cancer Research UK estimates that 7,900 people in England are diagnosed with oesophageal cancer every year. It is more common in men with around 2,400 new cases in women and around 5,500 new cases in men. In the North-East, around 390 people are diagnosed with oesophageal cancer every year, with 120 new cases in women and 270 in men.
Both smoking and alcohol on their own increase the risk of oesophageal cancer, as well as that of many other cancers, including cancers of the mouth and throat. However, when people smoke and drink together, the impact on oesophageal cancer risk is greater than the sum of those individual parts. Research suggests that alcohol and tobacco used together, increases oesophageal cancer risk by around twice as much as the sum of their individual effects. (2)
New evidence helps explain why. Alcohol can damage DNA, but when smoking is added, this damage appears to be far more severe — increasing the harmful effects compared to drinking alcohol alone. (3)
A new survey of 1300 smokers and recent quitters in October 2025 across the North-East and North Cumbria revealed some alarming findings about the number of people at greater risk in our region:
- 70% of people who smoke say they smoke more when they drink alcohol – with 37% saying they smoke much more when they drink
- 39% of people who smoke are also higher risk drinkers – regularly drinking more than 14 units a week
Susan Taylor, Head of Alcohol Policy for Fresh and Balance, said: “Smoking and drinking often go hand in hand, especially for people who smoke when they socialise, or are suffering from mental health difficulties. But the evidence is clear – both are Group One carcinogens and together they create an even greater cancer risk.
“The good news is that many people who smoke and drink are often motivated to quit or cut down, both of which can have a positive impact in terms of improving physical and mental health.
Liv Cheek, prevention policy manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “Alcohol and tobacco are both harmful products, and when used together they can significantly increase the risk of certain cancers, including oesophageal cancer.
“Although there are steps we can take to reduce our cancer risk, the world around us can make it more difficult to lead healthy lives. The UK Government has a huge role to play, and it’s vital that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is passed and implemented swiftly to help protect future generations from the harms of smoking. Alongside this world-leading legislation, there must be targeted support to help people quit smoking and cut down on alcohol.”
GP Dr David Cummins, who works in both Ashington and Whitley Bay , said: “Both alcohol and tobacco harm DNA and cause cancer on their own. But together the toxicity increases. Alcohol makes it easier for the cells in our mouth to absorb these cancer-causing chemicals. “When it comes to smoking, most of us know that tobacco causes cancer. But a lot of people are still shocked to learn that alcohol is also a cause of cancer, and can make the harm from smoking worse.”
For support to reduce drinking visit ReduceMyRisk.tv
For support to quit smoking and find out about all the options available visit FreshQuit.co.uk
3: Wellcome Sanger Institute https://www.sanger.ac.uk/news_item/scientists-unlock-secret-behind-how-smoking-and-drinking-alcohol-causes-cancer/