Tobacco, Second-Hand Smoke and Cancer

This is a comprehensive review of the most prevalent risk for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from direct and second-hand tobacco smoke exposure. The large amounts of reactive oxygen species present in tobacco smoke increase oxidative stress. The compelling evidence suggests that oxidative stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of COPD via processes including oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation. Since patients with COPD are more likely to develop lung cancer, this review also emphasizes how oxidative stress and potentially related mechanisms link COPD and lung cancer.