Key findings from the 2009 New Zealand ... - Ministry of Health

Figure 3:
Annual number of deaths attributed to smoking (all causes), among those aged
35+ years, 6 by sex, 1950–2005
4000
3500
Number of deaths
Males
Females
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
Data sources: Estimates for 1950–1995 were drawn from Peto et al 2006. Estimates for 2000 and 2005 have been
derived by the Health and Disability Intelligence Unit from Ministry of Health mortality counts.
Notes:
1 The 2010 data point for this graph is not currently available.
2 Estimates have been calculated using the Peto method (World Health Organization 1998), which is used
internationally. Analysis of linked New Zealand census and mortality data suggests that the Peto method may
overestimate TAM when applied to ethnic groups such as Māori (Blakely et al 2006). Ethnic-specific estimates
have therefore not been presented here.
Year
Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer in New Zealand and is a prominent risk factor
for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease (CVD),
upper aerodigestive cancers (includes cancers of the mouth, oesophagus, pharynx and
larynx), and many other cancers and chronic diseases.
Table 1 presents the total number of deaths attributable to smoking, by disease
grouping. The highest proportions of deaths from smoking are due to lung cancer,
COPD and CVD, which together account for more than three-quarters of deaths
attributable to smoking.
6
In considering TAM, the lower age group for inclusion is 35 years, reflecting the time that elapses
between exposure (tobacco) and the development of diseases for which tobacco is a risk factor, and
that lead to deaths that can be attributed to tobacco exposure (TAM).
Tobacco Use in New Zealand 13