title: Tobacco-related chronic illnesses: a public health concern for Jamaica.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality from non-communicable diseases. The objectives of the study were to determine the percentage of annual income used to purchase tobacco-related products and treat tobacco-related illnesses, and assess the characteristics of smokers and their awareness of the health-related risks of smoking.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stratified and snowball sampling methods were used to obtain information (via a 17-item, close-ended questionnaire) from 85 adult respondents (49 males and 36 females). The instrument comprised of demographic characteristics, smoking behavioural/lifestyle, health, and micro socio-economics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between individuals who were affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) (14.1%) and cardiovascular disease (18.8%). It was found that respondents spend 30-39% of their annual income on tobacco-related products. Forty percent (40.0%) and 41.7% of respondents with lung cancer and COPD respectively spend more than 50% of their annual income to treat these diseases. The majority (80%) of those who continues to consume tobacco-related products were uncertain as to why they were doing it. Not all the smokers were aware of the dangers of tobacco consumption despite their level of education.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of the respondents who had tobacco-related illnesses such as lung cancer and COPD spend a significant amount of their income on their health care. Not all the smokers were aware of the dangers of tobacco consumption despite their level of education. This suggests the need for increase public awareness where both smokers and non smokers are being fully or adequately informed about the dangers or health risks of tobacco consumption.
authors.affiliation: Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization. crawfordtazhmoye@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Tazhmoye V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: Donovan A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: McGrowder
authors.forename: Jasper D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Barnett
authors.forename: Barbara A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: McGaw
authors.forename: Irving F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: McKenzie
authors.forename: Leslie G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: James
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004646:Emphysema / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D017048:Health Care Costs; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007563:Jamaica; D008019:Life Style; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000191:economics* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000191:economics* / Q000209:etiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D062789:Tobacco Products / Q000191:economics*; D055815:Young Adult