Smoking: The biggest killer of Irish women

Smoking has become the latest — and most deadly — fashion statement for women, as lung cancer now kills more women in Ireland than breast cancer.

Tobacco-related diseases in women are reaching epidemic proportions here, according to the Irish Cancer Society, which yesterday launched a campaign aimed specifically at young female smokers.

Data from the National Cancer Registry shows that the number of lung cancers in women is increasing by 3% a year. From being a predominantly male disease for the past 50 years, lung cancer is projected to be a mainly female disease by 2025.