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Jul 15, 2026
Most people are aware of the dangers of smoking, primarily the risk of developing lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a type of lung cancer that takes a long time to develop, and once symptoms appear, it has usually reached an advanced stage. It’s natural to worry about potential cancer risks, but does smoking cause mesothelioma?
Does Smoking Cause Mesothelioma?
The short answer to this question is no; smoking does not cause mesothelioma. Smoking can cause other types of lung cancer, but the only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure, and a smoker exposed to asbestos has a significantly higher chance of developing mesothelioma. Smoking reduces the lungs’ ability to filter out dangerous particles, so while it can greatly increase the risk of someone developing mesothelioma, it is not the root cause.
According to the American Cancer Society, there are about 3,000 mesothelioma cases diagnosed throughout the US each year, so this is not an especially common type of cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that an estimated 49.2 million Americans reported that they smoked or used other tobacco products in 2022.
If you smoke and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is crucial to acknowledge that smoking exacerbates your condition, but it is not the root cause of your mesothelioma. You may have grounds to pursue some type of legal action for your diagnosis, but you will need an experienced attorney’s help, and you should know that your smoking habit can influence your case.
Why You Should Hire a Mesothelioma Lawyer?
Mesothelioma is both incurable and terminal. While some forms of lung cancer are treatable, mesothelioma treatment focuses on slowing the disease’s spread and managing symptoms. Eventually, a person with mesothelioma will need to transition to receiving palliative care. The five-year relative survival rate for pleural mesothelioma is only 23% at the localized stage and just 11% once it has spread to distant parts of the body.
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should speak with an experienced mesothelioma attorney who can help you determine whether you have any legal options available to you. However, if you are a smoker, this fact could influence your case if you intend to claim compensation for your diagnosis from another party.
Some mesothelioma cases involve claims to mesothelioma trust funds that have been established by companies throughout the US that formerly produced asbestos products. Your attorney can help you determine your eligibility to file a claim with one of these trusts and guide you through the filing process if you are eligible. Alternatively, you could have grounds to claim compensation with a personal injury case if a specific party is responsible for your asbestos exposure.
If you believe that you have grounds to file a personal injury case for mesothelioma, it is important to understand that your smoker status could negatively impact your case. The defendant may argue that you share liability for your condition because your choice to smoke increased your risk of developing lung cancer. In some states, a plaintiff’s shared liability can diminish the amount of compensation they can obtain from a defendant in a personal injury case.
Ultimately, mesothelioma is a serious diagnosis, and it is natural to have many difficult questions after receiving this news. If you are unsure what to do about your diagnosis, the team at Wallace & Graham, PA can assist you. We have years of proven experience handling difficult mesothelioma cases for clients nationwide, so contact us today to learn how we can help with your case.
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