A financial case to enable state health jurisdictions to invest in tobacco control.
State health departments bear considerable expenditure due to tobacco-related hospitalisations. We present a straightforward formula, based on aetiological fractions (attributable risks), with which to estimate tobacco-related expenditure in a way relevant and meaningful to state health departments and hospital managers. Tobacco was responsible for 43 571 hospitalisations in New South Wales in 1999-2000 alone, incurring $178 527 370 in hospital costs (nearly $500 000 per day). If the equivalent of a specified percentage of expenditure as calculated for one year were "invested" in tobacco control in the next year, then commitments to a substantive suite of health promotion programs could be made. For example, using our formula, a contribution of 3% would secure an annual tobacco control budget of $5 355 821 in NSW. Once securely funded, evidence-based tobacco control would reap dividends by reducing hospital expenditure and enhancing population health.
Girgis
Seham T
ST
Division of Population Health, South Western Sydney Area Health Service, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Ward
Jeanette E
JE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D019460:Tobacco Industry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence