Background

: Tobacco consumption is the leading cause of death from non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, lung disease and cancer. Estimating prevalence-based mortality attributed to tobacco consumption is based on prior knowledge of the number of smokers, ex-smokers, and non-smokers in the population. These data derive from the four National Surveys of Risk Factors (Encuestas Nacionales de Factores de Riesgo, ENFR).

Objectives

: This study aims to show the burden of mortality due to tobacco consumption in the Province of Buenos Aires in the assessed periods of the four ENFRs (2005, 2009, 2013, 2018).

Methods

: Mortality attributable to tobacco consumption was estimated by using a prevalence-based method and assuming the risks associated with smoking in the 19 causes classified as associated with smoking, in accordance with the Cancer Prevention Study II (CPSII). The deaths were grouped into periods equivalent to those relevant to each ENFR. The CSPII attributable fractions were then applied by estimating the absolute deaths and attributable fractions of mortality by cause and groupings: tumours, circulatory diseases and respiratory diseases.

Results

: Overall, in persons aged 18 years or older, there was a decrease in smoking prevalence from 29.5% in 2005 to 23.1% in 2018 (an absolute reduction of 6.4% and a percentage reduction of 21.7%). A total of 6293 out of 18 255 deaths from cardiovascular diseases in the four surveys were attributed to smoking, that is, 34.4%, compared to 68% of deaths from tumours and 40.0% of deaths from respiratory diseases.

Conclusion

: It is necessary to further strengthen measures to reduce exposure to tobacco.