Cigarette smoking and hospitalization in Lebanon

Tobacco smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory illnesses and a wide range of other negative health outcomes resulting in hospitalization. A study published in BMJ assessed the link between smoking and hospitalization. Cigarette smoking exposure was calculated according to smoking status (i.e., current, former, or never smoker) and “pack-years” (estimated based on duration, frequency, and intensity of smoking). The study was based on data from the 2009 Nutrition and Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor survey. The sample included 2,836 adults age 18 years and older.

Findings

• In Lebanon, 34.7% of adults are current smokers, with higher rates among males than females: 42.9% versus 27.5%.
• Compared to non-smokers, former and current smokers were significantly more likely to be hospitalized.
• Hospitalization increased significantly with increasing “pack-years” or life-time cigarette smoking.

Key Messages

• Smoking increases the risk of hospitalization and death from tobacco-related diseases.
• Quitting smoking improves health and reduces the burden on health care systems.
• Highly effective measures for reducing smoking and helping smokers to quit include enacting and enforcing:
  • total bans on smoking in all indoor public places, workplaces and public transport; 
  • comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship;
  • multiple rotating large graphic health warnings on all tobacco products; and
  • tobacco taxation and pricing policies that reduce the affordability of tobacco products.