Cost of premature mortality attributable to smoking in the Middle East and North Africa

Abstract

Background: Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of premature mortality, incurring substantial economic costs. Aims: To estimate the rate and cost of premature mortality attributable to smoking in the 24 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries in 2015. Methods: Smoking attributable fractions were estimated. Twenty-four smoking-related diseases were included in the analysis. For each country, the total number of deaths by disease, age, and gender among individuals aged ≥ 15 years were derived from a World Health Organization database. Human capital approach was used in calculating cost of premature mortality. Results: Smoking was responsible for 465 285 deaths in MENA countries, resulting in 7 122 706 years of potential life lost, or an average of 15.23 years lost per smoking-related death. Of the total 465 285 smoking-related deaths, 412 415 (88.6%) occurred in men, accounting for 37% of all deaths from the diseases considered in this analysis among men. The total mortality cost attributable to smoking was estimated at US$ 29.7 billion in 2015 (0.76% of MENA’s gross domestic product). Turkey was the country most affected by the tobacco epidemic, representing 41% of smoking-related mortality cost in the whole region, followed by Saudi Arabia (8.76%) and Egypt (7.88%). Conclusion: Smoking is an important preventable cause of premature mortality in MENA countries. Substantial decline in smoking-attributable deaths and significant economic cost saving can be achieved in this region through more effective tobacco control policies.