Oral HPV can be spread through kissing (Picture: Rex)

Contracting Human papilloma virus (HPV) infections through kissing is now a larger risk than smoking for developing head or neck cancer.

According to Australian head and neck surgeon, Dr Mahiban Thomas - Oral HPV makes head and neck cancer 250 times more likely with 70% of all US cases being caused by the virus.

While HPV is normally linked with cervical cancer - it can infect both men and women.

This oral variant of the virus can be passed through oral sex and open-mouth (french) kissing

Dr Thomas told MailOnline: ‘If you look at the figures coming out of the US, 70 per cent of head and neck cancers are due to HPV.

‘There has been a change in high-risk behaviour as far as smoking and drinking goes.

‘If you have an (HPV) infection, you have 250 times the chance of developing cancer of somebody who does not have HPV.’

Health authorities advise that the risk of contracting HPV increases with the number of ‘french kissing and oral sex partners you have.