Cancer prevention will be a cornerstone of this Cancer Strategy as it offers the most cost-effective, long-term approach for cancer control. The proportion of cancer incidence attributable to modifiable lifestyle and environmental factors is estimated to be in the 30% to 40% range. Of these risk factors, smoking has by far the biggest impact and, in implementing this Strategy, we will work towards the goal of making Ireland tobacco-free by 2025. We also need to increase our efforts to reduce the number of avoidable cancers through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, in areas such as improved diet, more exercise and reduced alcohol intake. Prevention measures will be integrated with the overall health and wellbeing initiatives under the Healthy Ireland programme. 

5.3.4 Alcohol

Each year, 900 newly diagnosed cancers in Ireland are caused by alcohol. Over half of cancers in the upper aero-digestive tract are caused by alcohol, and when combined with smoking, the risk of developing these cancers increases. The public health approach to addressing alcohol misuse, including the Public Health (Alcohol) legislation, aims to reduce overall consumption as well as patterns of harmful use.