The Alarming Link Between an Addictive Nut and Skyrocketing Cancer Rates

The market for betel nut consumption, an addictive nut regarded as the world's fourth most widely-used psychoactive substance, continues to boom despite its classification as a carcinogen twenty years ago. With over 600 million regular chewers globally, the nut's production has more than doubled in the last two decades. However, studies have shown a clear connection between betel nut consumption and oral cancer, particularly in countries where it is widely consumed. The high rates of oral cancer in Papua New Guinea, where betel nut chewing is prevalent, highlight the urgent need for regulation and awareness of the health risks associated with this habit.