Mortality attributed to Tobacco consumption in Brazil, 2016

Abstract

Objective: To update the estimation of tobacco attributable mortality (AM) in the Brazilian population aged 35 years old and older. Methods: A prevalence-dependent analysis was applied based on the population attributed fraction. This method estimates the tobacco AM taking into account the mortality observed in Brazil (source: Brazilian Mortality Information System – 2016); the prevalence of smokers, former smokers, and never smokers (National Health Survey Brazil – 2013) and the excess of risk of death (relative risk) of smokers and former smokers in comparison to never smokers (derived from 5 North American cohorts). Estimates of overall AM are shown by gender, age group (35–54; 55–64; 65–74; and 75 years old and older) and 3 groups: malignant tumors, cardiometabolic diseases, and respiratory diseases. Results: In 2016, tobacco consumption caused 163,831 deaths in Brazil, 67% (109,369) were in men and four out of ten (62,791) occurred before the age of 65. Without differences by gender, 42% of the AM is associated with cardiometabolic diseases, followed by respiratory diseases (34%) and malignant tumors (24%). Conclusion: During 2016, 14% of the deaths occurred in the Brazilian population aged 35 years old and older were attributed to tobacco consumption. Periodic tobacco AM estimations are mandatory to assess and strengthen smoking control strategies and policies.