Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Years of Potential Life Lost, and Productivity Losses—United States, 2000-2004

Cigarette smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke are associated with premature death from chronic diseases, economic losses to society, and a substantial burden on the United States health-care system. Smoking is the primary causal factor for at least 30% of all cancer deaths, for nearly 80% of deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and for early cardiovascular disease and deaths. In 2005, to assess the economic and public health burden from smoking, CDC published results of an analysis of smoking- attributable mortality (SAM), years of potential life lost (YPLL), and productivity losses in the United States from smoking during 1997-2001. The analysis was based on data from CDC's Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Morbidity, and Economic Costs (SAMMEC) system, which estimates SAM, YPLL, and productivity losses based on data from the National Health Interview Survey and death certificate data from the National Center for Health Statistics. Here, Adhikari et al present an update of the analysis for 200-2004, the most recent years for which source data are available. A CDC editorial note is included.