Recent research highlights that air pollution stands as the second leading cause of lung cancer, necessitating a shift in public health strategies beyond the focus on tobacco use. Experts recommend that screening practices adapt to identify the rising incidence of lung cancers in individuals who have never smoked, such as traffic police, commuters, industrial workers, and children. Historically, lung cancer programs emphasized tobacco as the primary cause. However, data from the last two decades indicates a significant increase in non-smoking lung cancer cases. Dr. Nagesh Sirsath from Vencer Hospital notes that prolonged exposure to PM 2.5 particles is linked to elevated lung cancer risk through various biological mechanisms. Symptoms of lung cancer, including a persistent cough lasting over a month, blood in sputum, and chest pain, remain crucial for diagnosis. Yet, some patients may present nonspecific symptoms like headaches or bone pain from metastases. Advanced diagnostic tools, such as CT scans and bronchoscopy, along with next-generation sequencing for detailed genetic analysis, have become instrumental in developing targeted therapies. The rise of lung cancer cases in young non-smokers amplifies the pressing concern regarding air pollution. Dr. Minish Jain from Noble Hospitals recalls a troubling case where a 25-year-old IT professional, a non-smoker and teetotaler, was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. This illustrates that multiple factors, including environmental pollutants and potential exposure to secondhand smoke, may be at play. Pollution-related health issues often begin early in life. In areas with extreme pollution, clinicians observe chronic cough, alterations in airway structure, and the formation of small premalignant lesions after approximately six to eight years of sustained exposure to harmful air quality. Dr. Rahul Kendre emphasizes the urgent need for public health messaging to reflect the gravity of air pollution as a critical risk factor for lung cancer. Recommendations for individuals include wearing masks, steering clear of highly polluted areas, and scheduling regular health check-ups to combat the rising threat of lung cancer linked to environmental pollution.