More Non-Smokers are Getting Lung Cancer. How Much Does Cannabis Contribute?

An alarming trend has recently come to light: more non-smokers are getting lung cancer than ever before. Given that lung cancer is the most common worldwide and the leading cause of cancer death, you may be worried about the implications of your cannabis habits. How much does cannabis contribute to lung cancer risk?

According to a BBC report, the number of smokers around the globe is in decline, while lung cancer diagnoses among people who have never smoked cigarettes are on the rise. Now we’re seeing somewhere between 10 and 20% of lung cancer cases in people who have never smoked before. 

We know that smoking cigarettes is clearly not the only risk factor for lung cancer. Here’s what the Lung Cancer Foundation of America lists as the most common risk factors for the disease, after smoking:

• Secondhand smoke exposure 
• Radon gas exposure 
• Asbestos exposure
• Exposure to other carcinogens (inhaled arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, silica, etc.)
• Arsenic in drinking water 
• Pollution 
• Previous exposure to lung radiation 
• Past diagnosis or family history 

Why Are Lung Cancer Rates Increasing Among Non-Smokers?

Squamous cell carcinoma was the most commonly diagnosed form of lung cancer until the 1950s and ‘60s. That specific type of cancer begins with lung-lining cells. Today, we see adenocarcinoma starting in mucus-producing cells as the most commonly diagnosed form of lung cancer – often more aggressively at an advanced stage – both for smokers and those who have never smoked before. 

So what’s causing people who have never smoked before to develop lung cancer? It’s not always clear, as illustrated by the many risk factors listed above. The BBC reports that lung cancer in never-smokers is more commonly diagnosed in women, over twice as likely perhaps due to genetic mutations most commonly associated with women, such as EGFR. 

Researchers still don’t fully understand why these mutations occur so commonly in women of Asian descent. Some evidence suggests that female hormones may impact the risk of developing genetic mutations, but we don’t have concrete evidence of that yet. 

Some suggest that exposure to cooking fumes or burning wood stove tops in poorly ventilated rooms may also increase the risk of lung cancer. As the BBC points out, women traditionally spend more time inside in the US, which could increase their exposure to such carcinogens. 

Around the world, the UN Environment Programme acknowledges that women and children are at particular deadly risk from household smoke exposure. For example, women and children in Africa account for 60% of early deaths from smoke inhalation and household air pollution, including lung cancer. The UN is working to raise awareness and promote clean cooking practices around the world (looking at you, too, trendy wood-fired restaurants polluting our neighborhoods and world).

Regardless of the exact causes, somewhere between 20,000 and 40,000 non-smokers (either those who have never smoked or have smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lives) are developing lung cancer each year in the United States. Of these, researchers estimate about 7,300 are attributed to secondhand smoke. They estimate another 2,900 cases to stem from exposure to radon, an odorless radioactive gas that can seep into buildings and homes. 

Cannabis and Lung Cancer Risk 

There is a clear link between lung cancer and cigarette smoking. After all, it’s the number one risk factor, accounting for 80 to 90% of cases. But do the same risks exist with cannabis smoking?

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We’ve previously compared tobacco and cannabis smoking risks, concluding that research shows cannabis smoke is considerably safer than tobacco smoke. But some experts still believe that cannabis smoke may also be a risk factor for lung cancer. We need more research to say whether that’s true or not, but so far the connection certainly isn’t nearly as evident as with tobacco smoke. 

A 2025 review of cannabis research concludes that there’s no connection between cannabis smoking and lung cancer, despite the fact that cannabis smoke can lead to changes in lung cells. Additionally, they point out that mixing cannabis and tobacco smoke can be worse than tobacco alone. 

Because cannabis smoke contains many of the same irritants, toxins, and carcinogens as tobacco smoke, it’s commonly suggested that it may also carry a lung cancer risk alone or synergistically. This risk may be furthered by the tendency for cannabis smokers to inhale for longer periods of time, retaining more of the toxins and carcinogens in the lungs. Many consumers also mix tobacco with cannabis in blunts or water pipes for social bonding or longstanding cultural reasons (e.g. hookah, Northern Africa, West Asia).

For now, the link between lung cancer and cannabis smoke is unknown – but evidently not strong. We don’t know for sure if cannabis smoke may increase the risk of developing the disease, despite having some similarities to tobacco smoke, a known risk factor. While some studies link cannabis use with lung cancer, the majority have not found a concrete association. 

How to Reduce Your Risk of Lung Cancer

The CDC reports that the most important way to reduce your risk of lung cancer is not to start smoking. And if you do smoke, they recommend you quit. In fact, quitting smoking at any age is always beneficial – health benefits of quitting start within the first 20 minutes and last even 15 years later.

Their recommendation is broad and doesn’t specify whether they mean all forms of smoking. But they do later specify the link between cigarette smoke and cancer, without any mention of cannabis. 

In addition to not smoking, the CDC also recommends that people avoid secondhand smoke, as it can also increase their risk of developing lung cancer. They also suggest testing your home’s radon levels and reducing your exposure if necessary. Likewise, they recommend following all health and safety guidelines at work to avoid carcinogen exposure. 

The American Cancer Society also points to a healthy diet for cancer prevention. They suggest eating lots of fruits and vegetables to reduce the risk of developing lung cancer. 

Alternatives to Smoking for Medical Cannabis Patients

Regardless of the motivation, if you want to reduce or stop smoking altogether, there are plenty of options to still consume cannabis. Edibles, tinctures, and topicals are all easy ways to get your cannabis fix without inhaling anything. 

Some people may opt to vape cannabis instead. We particularly like dry herb vaporizers for a true-to-the-flower experience without any combustion. They’re a great option for a smoke-adjacent experience with less lung irritation.

If you want to quit smoking cigarettes, cannabidiol (CBD) may be your new favorite tool. Research shows that CBD may help cigarette smokers cut back on or quit their habit entirely.