Romanian health officials warn smoking raises risk of lung cancer and severe oral disease

Medical experts in Romania stress that smoking is a leading cause of lung cancer, but the disease also affects non‑smokers through passive smoke, air pollution, radon, asbestos and other occupational carcinogens. The Romanian Society of Pneumology highlighted that in 2024 the country recorded about 12,400 new lung‑cancer cases, representing 12.6% of all cancers and the second most common type. They listed warning signs such as persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, breathlessness, recurrent lung infections, fatigue and unexplained weight loss, urging anyone with these symptoms to seek medical evaluation.

Dentist Ahmed Nashar explained that smoking quickly damages oral health, causing brown‑yellow stains, excess tartar, bad breath, dry mouth, reduced gum blood flow, accelerated periodontitis, higher risk of tooth loss, delayed post‑surgical healing and lower success rates for dental implants. He recommends professional cleaning every six months and abstaining from smoking for at least three days after dental procedures.