Abstract

The risk factor responsible for the greatest disease burden in Australia is tobacco smoking, which accounts for approximately 12 per cent of the total burden of disease in males and seven per cent in females. Tobacco smoking contributes to higher drug-related morbidity and mortality than both alcohol and illicit drug use combined. It is the leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly from: cardiovascular disease; cancers of the lung, larynx and mouth; and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is estimated that approximately half of all long-term smokers will die from smoking-related causes. Smoking while pregnant contributes to an increased risk of having a low birthweight baby. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is known to be a risk factor for lung cancer and cardiovascular disease in adults, and for sudden infant death syndrome, asthma, and lower respiratory disease in children.