Rising cancer rates expose a web of pollution and public health failure in Lebanon
In an in-depth report for An-Nahar, journalist Laila Girgis examines the sharp increase in cancer cases in Lebanon, framing it as a looming public health crisis driven by environmental degradation, widespread smoking and systemic political inaction.
The article opens with a stark warning: Lebanon may be facing a “cancer tsunami.” Drawing on research published by The Lancet – a British medical journal – Girgis notes projections that cancer mortality could increase by as much as 80 per cent by 2050 if current trends continue. While some figures are based on predictive models rather than complete national data, health experts broadly agree that rates in Lebanon are rising, particularly for breast, lung and prostate cancers.
At the centre of the crisis is a complex web of interrelated risk factors. Chief among them is smoking. Lebanon ranks among the highest globally for tobacco consumption, with both cigarettes and shisha deeply embedded in social life. Experts warn that these products contain dozens of carcinogenic substances, significantly increasing the risk of multiple cancers beyond the lungs, including those affecting the throat and urinary tract. Alarmingly, smoking is also widespread among young people, with nearly a third of adolescents reported to be smokers.
Environmental pollution is another major driver. The widespread use of diesel generators, necessitated by the state’s failure to provide reliable electricity, has created a toxic atmosphere, particularly in urban areas like Beirut. Studies cited in the article reveal dangerously high levels of carcinogenic particles in the air, many of which penetrate the body and contribute to long-term health risks. Industrial pollution, contaminated water sources such as the Litani River, and unregulated pesticide use further compound the problem, introducing toxins into both the environment and the food supply.
Girgis highlights how these risks are exacerbated by weak governance. Regulations exist but are poorly enforced, whether in relation to smoking bans, environmental protections or food safety standards. According to experts and activists, many of the underlying causes of cancer are tied to entrenched political and economic interests, making meaningful reform difficult. This has led to what the article describes as a “chaotic” system in which pollution, unsafe agricultural practices and even counterfeit medicines persist largely unchecked.
Data gaps also complicate the national response. While cancer incidence is relatively well tracked through a revived national registry, mortality data remains incomplete due to historical limitations in accessing population records. This has forced reliance on projections rather than comprehensive statistics, though recent steps to improve data access may help clarify the scale of the crisis.
Ultimately, the article argues that Lebanon’s cancer burden is not inevitable, but indeed largely preventable. Addressing it will require political will, enforcement of existing laws and coordinated action across sectors. Without this, Girgis suggests, the country risks moving from warning signs to a full-scale public health catastrophe.
The original article, ‘تسونامي السرطان: كيف يُصنع في لبنان أخطر أوبئة العصر؟’ by Laila Girgis was published in Arabic on February 27, 2026 in An-Nahar.
It is available here.
An-Nahar is one of Lebanon’s leading Arabic-language daily newspapers and is widely regarded as a “newspaper of record” in the Arab world.
Summary by ZN
