Smoking remains leading risk for lung cancer: Nearly 40% of adults in Serbia smoke

Smoking continues to be the leading risk factor for lung cancer in Serbia, with nearly 40% of adults identified as smokers. A significant majority of the population experiences exposure to secondhand smoke in public spaces and homes. Data from the Institute of Public Health "Dr Milan Jovanović Batut" in 2023 highlights that tobacco and nicotine products pose a major public health challenge.

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Lung cancer is a disease that has left a deep mark on our family, both my father and husband were smokers and got lung cancer, and I also used to smoke.

While often perceived as a habit affecting the youth, the data reveals that the highest proportion of daily smokers, 40.6%, falls within the 35 to 44 age bracket. Smoking intensity is notably higher among men, with nearly a quarter consuming more than a pack a day, a rate significantly exceeding that of women. Generational differences in smoking habits are also apparent, with younger smokers prioritizing flavor and older individuals focusing on price.

Electronic cigarettes and hookahs are most popular among individuals aged 18 to 24, though long-term use remains limited for most, suggesting experimentation rather than sustained habit. Despite legal restrictions, 85.5% of citizens report exposure to secondhand smoke in hospitality venues, and nearly half of employees face it at work. While most Serbians support stricter anti-smoking measures, smoking is still permitted in one-third of households.

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Only when my husband got sick did I stop smoking. That experience permanently changed me and showed how difficult this disease is, but also how important prevention is.

Lung cancer remains the most common and deadliest cancer in Serbia, with approximately 7,000 new cases and 5,000 deaths annually. However, medical advancements, including modern diagnostics, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies, have significantly improved survival rates and quality of life for many patients, offering hope where previously there was little.

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When it comes to treatment, the introduction of modern therapies in recent years has significantly improved outcomes for patients with lung cancer in Serbia.