Background: In developed countries tobacco smoke is the preventable risk factor that causes more deaths. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of tobacco in the Galician adult (aged 35 and over) population from 2001 to 2006.
Methods: Attributable mortality was estimated by a prevalence-dependent method based on the population attributable fraction. Galician prevalence of tobacco consumption was estimated for the period 2001-2006 based on local population surveys and relative risks derived from the Cancer Prevention Study-II. Years of life expectancy lost related to tobacco consumption were calculated applying the method proposed by Arriaga.
Results: In Galicia, among 2001 and 2006, 21.588 deaths were attributed to tobacco consumption in the 35-year-old population and above, which supposes 12,5 % of the mortality happened across the period. The percentage of years of life expectancy lost as reason of the consumption of tobacco decreased from the first one to the second triennium in males (28,1 % vs 26,8 %) and it increased in females (9,9 % vs 10,9 %).
Conclusions: At general population level tobacco attributable mortality shows a stable pattern. This is probably related to a slight increase of mortality in young females and a decrease in males' mortality.