Former and current smokers face a higher risk of colorectal cancer than non-smokers, suggests research at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

It's the first large study in Canada showing a clear relationship between colorectal cancer and tobacco use, according to the researchers.

The study included more than 1,400 participants. Researchers followed 702 newly diagnosed colorectal cancer cases between 1999 and 2003. They were matched with 717 control cases. All participants answered questionnaires regarding tobacco and alcohol consumption.

"Cigarette smoking increased the risk of colorectal cancer in the N.L. population," concluded the researchers in their study published in October in the Canadian Journal of Public Health.

The study concluded that smoking increases a person's risk of developing colorectal cancer by 13 per cent, compared with a non-smoker.

Researchers noted that cigarette smoking increased the risk of colorectal cancer among men and women, but there was a stronger effect with men.

The population-based, case-control study also found that among drinkers there was a higher risk of colorectal cancer among former and current smokers than with non-smokers.

Overall the study suggested the effects of smoking on colorectal cancer seemed to be stronger in males and alcohol drinkers and also demonstrated a slightly stronger link with rectal cancer than colon cancer.

This study was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) through an interdisciplinary team research grant on colorectal cancer.

Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest incidence of colorectal cancer in Canada.