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OBJECTIVE

We aimed to estimate the mortality attributable to current cigarette smoking among Tunisian individuals aged 30 years and over in 2016.

METHODS

The number of deaths attributable to cigarette smoking was estimated using the population attributable fraction (PAF) method of calculation. Current cigarette smoking-related data and number of deaths by cause were obtained from a Tunisian national household survey conducted in 2016 (THES-2016) and the "Global Burden of Disease" study respectively. Relative risks for cause-specific mortality among current cigarette smokers compared to never-smokers were obtained mainly from the American cancer prevention study II (CPS II), including adjustments for a range of potential confounders.

RESULTS

In 2016, 6,039 deaths were attributed to current cigarette smoking (5,934 in men and 105 in women), accounting for 14.3 % of total deaths in persons aged 30 years and over (24.2 % in men and 0.6 % in women). Lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and upper aerodigestive tract cancers represented the highest smoking-attributable risks (74.5 %, 49.1 % and 42.2 % respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, high rates of smoking-attributable mortality were found, mainly among men. In addition to more rigorous application of existing laws, sensitization to the dangers of tobacco, educational anti-smoking campaigns and help in quitting are of prime importance.