Hi Fran,
I always thought smokers were on the wrong side of the fence with this cancer, but I haven't really looked that far into it. I have heard on this site that patients outside the risk factors seem to have a tougher go of it. I smoked off and on from the time I was 28 but quit after my diagnosis. I understand the people you see still smoking, even after a cancer diagnosis. That would be me but for something within my will power that helped me to quit. I thank my God for that power as I believe it will help me stay cancer free.
You know, I used to secretly smile at my coffee drinking, non-smoking friends that would say to me "I can't imagine being addicted to ciggarettes"..........mind you these were the same women that would say they couldn't even BEGIN to start their day without a cup of coffee and would get the shakes without it!! I realize coffee drinking doesn't carry the same risks as smoking, but when discussing an addiction I see no difference between the two.
I say a silent prayer for anyone who has battled oral cancer and cannot seem to find the way to become smoke free. I know what my fear of the cancer coming back is like, I can only imagine that it's twofold for the ones that continue to smoke.
Let us know what you find out on this subject, I would be interested to hear it.

SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.