Health Webinar | Tobacco Side-effects & Prevention of Thoracic/Lung Cancer | Dr Vivek Mundale

On 30 May, 2026, Seniors Today hosted their weekly Health Live Webinar with a Senior Surgical Oncologist, Dr Vivek Mundale who spoke and and answered questions about Tobacco Side-effects & Prevention of Thoracic/Lung Cancer About Dr Dr Vivek Mundale Dr Vivek Mundale is Consultant - Thoracic Surgery at the Nanavati Max Institute of Cancer Care at the Nanavati Max Superspeciality Hospital, Mumbai. On the occasion of a health awareness session, Dr Mundale discussed the growing burden of tobacco use, the emerging concerns related to vaping, and practical strategies for preventing lung cancer.  Smoking continues to remain one of the leading preventable causes of disease and death worldwide, while newer forms of nicotine consumption such as e-cigarettes are creating additional public health challenges. Tobacco use remains a major public health concern worldwide. Global statistics:  Approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide use tobacco. More than 8 million deaths occur annually due to tobacco use. Around 7 million deaths result from direct tobacco consumption. Nearly 1.2 million non-smokers die due to exposure to second-hand smoke. Smoking remains the leading single preventable cause of death globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco kills up to half of its users. It is responsible for approximately 25% of all cancer-related deaths worldwide and causes more deaths than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined. Tobacco use also has a great Geographic and Economic Impact. Nearly 80% of smokers live in low- and middle-income countries. The global economic burden of tobacco exceeds USD 1.4 trillion annually which includes healthcare expenditure, loss of productivity, and reduced workforce participation. Smoking-related illnesses result in significant loss of productive working years and financial hardship for families. Bidi Smoking is a Unique Challenge in India and continues to pose a major public health concern. Approximately 72% of all smokers in India smoke bidis. India has nearly 72 million bidi smokers, compared with around 16 million cigarette smokers. Bidi smoking is more prevalent in rural areas and among lower socioeconomic groups. The majority of users are men, though increasing use among adolescent males is being observed. Bidis Are More Harmful because of the following reasons: Higher levels of tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide compared to cigarettes. Lack of filters leads to direct inhalation of harmful smoke. More puffs are required to keep a bidi lit, resulting in greater smoke exposure. Strong association with oral cancer, lung cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases. Low cost and easy availability encourage widespread use. Lower taxation compared with cigarettes Smoking affects nearly every organ system in the body. Respiratory System Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Lung cancer with up to a 15-fold increase in risk. Recurrent respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Reduced lung capacity and lung function. Worsening of asthma symptoms. Cardiovascular System 2–4 times higher risk of heart disease. Atherosclerosis and arterial stiffening. Increased risk of stroke. Peripheral vascular disease. Higher risk of aortic aneurysm.