Prevalence of tobacco use among adults in South Africa: Results from the first South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Abstract

Smoking is one of the major preventable causes of disease and premature death globally.[1] Tobacco is the second leading risk factor for the global burden of disease, accounting for 6.3% of disability-adjusted life-years lost[2] and causing six million deaths annually.[1] Since 1995 there has been a modest increase in tobacco consumption in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), but a consistent decline in high-income countries (HICs).[3] By 2030 it is estimated that tobacco will kill more than eight million people annually, with 80% of these deaths occurring in LMICs.[3] Consumers in LMICs such as South Africa (SA) are likely to be less informed about the adverse health consequences of tobacco use than those in HICs, and are therefore likely to bear the major health impact of tobacco unless an aggressive educational programme is mounted.