In the context with an extensive pilot study investigating risk factors for lung cancer, aetiological and clinical questions were analysed for lung cancer mortality in women. In a first step all available data sources about the prevalence of smoking in the FRG were used to determine the correlation between the prevalence of smoking and lung cancer mortality. 88% of the variance (R2) of lung cancer mortality for women could be explained by smoking. In a second step medical records of 133 female lung cancer patients from three hospitals were analysed with regard to the histological types of lung cancer and smoking. Small cell lung cancers were more frequent among female smokers while adenocarcinoma was more prevalent among non-smokers. Survival analysis for 421 men and 97 women showed a significantly longer survival time for women as compared to men, taking into account other relevant prognostic factors. The association between smoking and lung cancer is discussed and analysed in greater detail.