Reducing air pollution contributes to healthier lifestyles and lower cancer risks

Friday 2 June 2023. Geneva, Switzerland. Marking World Environment Day on 5 June, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) calls for global action to improve public health and prevent millions of deaths from cancer and other non-communicable diseases by drastically reducing air pollution.

Only 1% of the world’s population, or about 80 million people out of 8 billion, breathes air that does not exceed air quality limits. Exposure to air pollution can lead to cancer, stroke, respiratory, cardiovascular diseases and other health issues – similar risks as those associated with smoking tobacco.

"Creating cleaner and greener environments to reduce air pollution is about fostering conditions that encourage more active, healthier lifestyles, further lowering the risk of various cancers and non-communicable diseases."
– Dr Sonali Johnson, Head of Knowledge, Advocacy and Policy, UICC.