In today's society, smoking is not only a health challenge, but also a global public health problem. The latest study, published in BMC Public Health, delves into the link between smoking and premature death and all-cause mortality in China. This study has important guiding significance for understanding the impact of smoking behavior on health and calling for rapid action by all sectors of society to deal with the adverse effects of smoking.
In a new cohort study published in BMC Public Health, scientists delved into the strong links between smoking behavior and premature death and all-cause mortality in China.
Background. Tobacco smoke is considered one of the leading risk factors for death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, tobacco-related diseases kill millions of people each year, and this number could soar to 8 million by 2030 without immediate action.
However, although studies have demonstrated a strong association between tobacco smoke and mortality and premature death in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, there is a lack of relevant cohort study data in China since 2010.
The significance of the study is that China has the highest rate of smoking among men, while millions of people are chronically exposed to passive smoking. A 15-year study found that smoking history and years of smoking in rural China were associated with the risk of death.
Therefore, the study, which began in 2011 and pooled nationally representative cohort data, was designed to ** potential associations between long-term smoking, premature death, and all-cause mortality.
About the study:
Data from the China Health and Retirement Tracking Study (CHARLS) covering 16,701 participants over the age of 45 from across China. Charls was a national survey with follow-up through 2018.
Participants were recorded for medical history, condition, and demographics, as well as smoking, alcohol consumption, and body mass index (BMI). The study divided participants into non-smokers, ex-smokers, and smokers, and recorded in detail the duration of smoking, the number of years of pack, and the age at which smoking was started and stopped.
Results & Discussion.
At the 2013 follow-up, a total of 367 people died. Studies have found that the prevalence of smoking among men is as high as 5268%, much higher than women (9.).72%）。
In addition, men smoked longer than women (average 35..)2 years), and smoked more cigarettes (an average of 19. per day6), and the age at which they started smoking was younger (222 years old). Interestingly, the average age at which men and women quit smoking is similar.
The results of the study showed that the risk of premature death in current smokers was 1 in non-smokers6 times the risk of premature death in ex-smokers compared to 2 times in non-ex-smokers3 times, which includes both males and females.
In addition, smokers have a 1 higher risk of all-cause mortality4 times, ex-smokers had a 1-fold higher risk of all-cause mortality8 times. The risk of all-cause mortality is higher in men than in women.
Although a trend was observed between the number of years of the pack and premature death, no significant association was found for all-cause mortality. Age of initiation and cessation of smoking was also not shown to be associated with premature death or all-cause mortality.
Conclusion. This study not only provides the latest evidence on smoking Xi in China, but also reveals the trend of rising smoking prevalence among men. The findings further confirmed the association between smoking (both smokers and ex-smokers), premature death, and all-cause mortality.
The observed trend in relation to the number of years of insurance and premature mortality underscores the urgency of stopping the adverse effects of smoking on public health and calls for more active education and action to address smoking.
These findings provide important information for the formulation of national and global policies to reduce smoking prevalence, and help improve the health of people in China and around the world.
Reference: Zhang, L et al., 2023) tobacco smoke and all-cause mortality and premature death in china: a cohort study. bmc public health., doi: