Smoking Status

Indicator Rationale

Research has shown that socio-economic and educational disadvantage is strongly linked to smoking.  Addiction and substance misuse are social determinants of health.  Alcohol dependence and misuse, illicit drug use and tobacco smoking are the biggest contributers to early mortality and morbidity (Keleher and Murphy, 2001).  Smoking is a significant cause of many diseases, including coronary heart disease, stroke and numerous cancers, and it is one of the leading causes of death in Victoria. Among all lifestyle-related risk factors, smoking is responsible for the greatest burden of premature death and disability in the state. Tobacco smoking accounts for almost 8.2 per cent of disability-adjusted life years for Victoria.

Every year, about 19,000 Australians die from diseases caused by smoking. One in two lifetime smokers will die from their addiction. Half of these deaths will occur in middle age.  Heart attacks and strokes are more frequent in smokers. In people under 65 years of age, smoking causes about 40 per cent of all strokes and heart  disease. Smokers are four times as likely as non-smokers to suffer sudden cardiac death and ten times more likely to die of bronchitis and emphysema. Smoking causes about 20 per cent of all cancer deaths and 80 per cent of lung cancers. (Australian Government, 2007)

Data Source

Victorian Population Health Survey, 2003

Measures

Reported at regional level: Victorian Population Health Survey, smoking frequency.

Survey Question

How often do you currently smoke cigarettes or any tobacco products?  Daily; At least weekly (but not daily); Less often than weekly; Not at all.

References

Keleher  and Murphy Consulting, 2001, Social Determinants of Health Project, Outer Eastern Health Alliance.

Department of Health and Ageing, Australian Government, Fact Sheet, How Smoking Can Harm You, 2007.

Department of Human Services Victoria, 2005, The Victorian burden of disease study: morbidity and mortality in 2001, Melbourne.