|
Smoking causes many diseases including lung cancer, other cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiovascular disease. In the developed countries, heart disease accounts for the majority of deaths that result from tobacco. The overall rates of death from cancer are twice as high among smokers as non-smokers, with heavy smokers having rates that are four times greater than those of non-smokers. Secondhand smoking has also shown to be a major risk factor in the development of disease in non-smokers. Research has shown that people who are frequently exposed to secondhand smoking, have a greater risk of lung cancer and other cancers.
This study estimates the burden of disease attributable to smoking for South Africa in 2000 using the comparative risk assessment methodology developed by the WHO. View the results. (pdf format, 295 kb)
Smoking is one of the cluster of risk factors that contribute to chronic diseases. Read more about research and policy of the chronic diseases of lifestyle in South Africa, the global burden and the newly formed 3FOUR50 Health Alliance to reduce the burden of these diseases. |
