Health and economic impact of cigarette smoking in New York State, 1987-1989

This study provides estimates of deaths attributable to smoking, years of potential life lost (YPLL), and economic costs for each of New York's 57 counties and New York City for the period 1987 to 1989. Results show that in New York State, cigarette smoking was responsible for an average of 30,359 deaths, 409,129 YPLL, and nearly $4 billion in economic costs annually. Overall, smoking-attributable deaths comprised 17.7% of all deaths, or more than the combined total from accidents, AIDS, homicide, and suicide. Findings demonstrate the enormous health and economic burden caused by tobacco use and reinforce the need for policies that discourage smoking, such as increased cigarette taxes, limited smoking in public places, enforcement of youth tobacco access laws, and funding for tobacco education programs.