Between 1997 and 1998, the percentage of smoking-attributable deaths compared with all deaths by all causes in Florida remained steady. During 1997 an estimated 18.90% of all deaths in Florida were attributable to cigarette smoking, and 18.74% were smoking-attributable in 1998. Using the Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Morbidity and Economic Costs (SAMMEC 3.0) software program, developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as a model, Florida’s smoking-attributable deaths were determined by analyzing the available smoking and mortality data by county. This county by county analysis required data from several different sources: the 1997 and 1998 Florida population estimates provided by the Executive Office of the Governor, Office of Policy and Budgeting; mortality data from the Office of Vital Statistics; and smoking prevalence calculated from data obtained from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

In 1997, there were 153,830 deaths from all causes. Smoking-attributable mortality accounted for 29,073 (18.90%) of those deaths. Males accounted for 18,228 (62.7%) of smoking attributable deaths while females accounted for 10,845 (37.3%).

In 1998, there were 157,160 deaths from all causes. Smoking-attributable mortality accounted for 29,450 (18.74%) of those deaths. Males accounted for 18,372 (62.4%) of smoking-attributable deaths while females accounted for 11,078 (37.6%).

Each year, 1997 and 1998, is analyzed separately in the attached summaries and tables. The tables show a breakdown for each year by county distributed by age, sex and cause of death. The information supplied herein can be used for targeting counties for anti-tobacco programs as well as documenting the burden of cigarette smoking to different populations.

The first section of this report will explain the methodology as well as provide further detail on smoking-attributable mortality. Questions regarding this publication and requests for copies may be addressed to the Florida Department of Health, Bin #A-12, 2020 Capital Circle SE, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1720. The telephone number is (850)245-4401.

In 1999, fully 18.6% of all deaths to Florida residents were attributable to cigarette smoking. This remains unchanged from 1998, when we estimated 18.7% of all deaths were due to smoking. Using the Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Morbidity and Economic Costs (SAMMEC 3.0) software program developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a model, Florida’s smoking-attributable deaths were calculated based on the available smoking and mortality data. In 1999, there were 162,122 deaths to Florida residents from all causes including 79,669 (49.1%) among women and 82,446 (50.9%) among men. Smoking accounted for 30,181 (18.6%) of these deaths. Among males, smoking accounted for 18,685 deaths while among females, smoking accounted for 11,496. Thus, 61.9% of all smoking-attributable mortality occurs in men, while 38.1% of smoking-attributable deaths are among women.

The tables in this report display smoking-attributable mortality estimates by region or county and by age, sex, race and cause of death. This information can be used to document the burden of mortality attributable to cigarette smoking across different populations and geographic areas, and to target tobacco control efforts.

The first section of this report explains the methodology used to generate smoking-attributable mortality estimates. This is followed by a summary of the findings presented here and by tables and graphs describing the detailed findings.