Aim: To estimate the number of deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to secondhand smoke in New Zealand.
Method: Comparative risk assessment methods were used to estimate the attributable burden from second-hand smoke in children and non-smoking adults in New Zealand. Disease outcomes included were: ischaemic heart disease; stroke and lung cancer in adults; asthma; lower respiratory infections; otitis media; sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI); and low birthweight at term in children. Mortality data from 2009-2011 and DALY data from 2006 were used.
Results: In New Zealand, second-hand smoke was estimated to have caused 104 deaths (plausible range: 66-137) in 2010, and led to the loss of 2,286 healthy years of life (DALYs) (1,465-3,177) in 2006. The main conditions accounting for this health burden were ischaemic heart disease and stroke in older adults. Children accounted for 34% of the attributable health loss in 2006, particularly due to SUDI. Māori experienced five times the health loss of non-Māori, after standardising for age differences.
Conclusion: Second-hand smoke continues to cause substantial health loss in New Zealand, and disproportionately affects children and Māori. Substantial health gains can be made by reducing exposure to second-hand smoke in New Zealand.