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Estimates of Smoking-attributable Mortality and Hospitalization in BC, 2002–2007

  • Quantitative Research
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Abstract

Objective: The objective of this paper was to estimate the number and rate of deaths and hospitalizations attributable to smoking in British Columbia (BC) from 2002 to 2007.

Methods: Using attributable fractions adjusted to BC smoking prevalence and mortality and hospital administrative data, estimates of smoking-attributable mortality (SAM) and smoking-attributable hospitalization (SAH) were calculated by year, disease category, sex, and geographic region.

Results: Among active smoking adults 15 years of age and older, there were an estimated 4,851 deaths and 25,314 hospitalizations attributed to smoking in BC in 2007. SAM and SAH rates in 2007 were estimated as 119 and 633 per 100,000, respectively. Rates increased from 2002 to 2005 but have declined in subsequent years. Lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were responsible for the largest proportion of SAM and SAH, respectively. There were regional differences, with the Northern Health authority having the highest rate of SAM and SAH and Vancouver Coastal Health authority having the lowest.

Conclusion: Smoking still presents a substantial human and economic burden in BC. Estimates of annual SAM and SAH provide researchers with the ability to detect emerging trends, target intervention and cessation programs, and evaluate current smoking reduction programs. The methodology can be adapted to other provinces to allow for cross-province comparisons.

Résumé

Objectif: Estimer le nombre et le taux des décès et des hospitalisations attribuables au tabagisme en Colombie-Britannique (C.-B.) de 2002 à 2007.

Méthode: À l’aide de fractions étiologiques du risque ajustées selon la prévalence du tabagisme en C.-B. et les données administratives provinciales sur les décès et les hospitalisations, nous avons calculé des estimations de la mortalité attribuable au tabagisme (MAT) et des hospitalisations attribuables au tabagisme (HAT) par année, par catégorie de maladie, par sexe et par région géographique.

Résultats: Chez les fumeurs actifs de 15 ans et plus, on estime à 4 851 le nombre de décès et à 25 314 le nombre d’hospitalisations attribuables au tabagisme en C.-B. en 2007. Les taux de MAT et de HAT en 2007 sont estimés à 119 et à 633 p. 100 000, respectivement. Les taux ont augmenté de 2002 à 2005, mais diminué les années suivantes. Le cancer du poumon et la maladie pulmonaire obstructive chronique étaient les causes de la plus grande proportion de la MAT et des HAT, respectivement. On observe des disparités régionales: les taux les plus élevés de MAT et de HAT étaient déclarés par le bureau sanitaire du Nord de la province, et les taux les plus faibles, par le bureau sanitaire de la zone côtière de Vancouver.

Conclusion: Le tabagisme constitue encore un fardeau humain et économique considérable en C.-B. Les estimations annuelles de la MAT et des HAT permettent aux chercheurs de déceler les tendances émergentes, de cibler les interventions et les programmes d’arrêt du tabac et d’évaluer les programmes de réduction du tabagisme en vigueur. La méthode peut être adaptée à d’autres provinces, ce qui permettrait des comparaisons interprovinciales.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, 655 West 12th Ave., Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada

    Andrew W. Tu MSc & Jane A. Buxton MBBS

  2. Centre for Addictions Research of BC, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada

    Tim Stockwell PhD

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  1. Andrew W. Tu MSc
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  2. Jane A. Buxton MBBS
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  3. Tim Stockwell PhD
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Correspondence to Andrew W. Tu MSc.

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Conflict of Interest: None to declare.

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Tu, A.W., Buxton, J.A. & Stockwell, T. Estimates of Smoking-attributable Mortality and Hospitalization in BC, 2002–2007. Can J Public Health 103, 137–141 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404219

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404219

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