Global estimate of the burden of disease from second-hand smoke

Overview

This document presents an estimation of the global burden of disease from exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS). The calculations were based on disease-specific relative risk estimates and area-specific estimates of the proportion of people exposed to SHS, by comparative risk assessment methods, with data from 192 countries during 2004. The estimates of worldwide burden of disease attributable to SHS suggest that substantial health gains could be made by extending effective public health and clinical interventions to reduce passive smoking worldwide.

This publication is the result of joint project between the Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI) and the Public Health and Environmental Department (PHE) of the World Health Organization.