HC Deb 06 December 1984 vol 69 cc267-9W
Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of deaths from heart disease he attributes to smoking in people aged under 45 years, under 65 years and in all age groups; what is the total number of such deaths he thus attributes to smoking in each of these age ranges; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Total deaths from coronary heart disease are in the table. In its recent report "Health or Smoking?" the Royal College of Physicians estimates that perhaps 20 per cent. of deaths from coronary heart disease are related to smoking and that the risk is greater among smokers aged under 45.

Total deaths from ischaemic heart disease* (international classification of diseases 410–414): 1983† England and Wales
Age group Number
Under 45 1,897
45 to 64 31,946
All ages 156,550
* Commonly referred to as coronary heart disease.
† Provisional.

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of deaths annually from lung cancer he attributes to smoking; how many such deaths occurred in people under 65 years and in all age groups in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

In its recent report "Health or Smoking?" the Royal College of Physicians estimates that about 90 per cent. of deaths from lung cancer are attributable to smoking. In 1983 total deaths from this cause (international classification of diseases 162) in England and Wales are provisionally estimated to have been 11,021 in people under 65 years and 35,572 for all ages.

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of acute beds in National Health Service hospitals and what total number of inpatient bed days per annum he estimates to be used by patients who are suffering from smoking-induced illnesses; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The estimated daily average number of beds occupied by patients suffering from diseases in which smoking is considered to be significant is as shown. However, it is not possible to estimate what proportion of the beds would be occupied by patients in whose cases smoking was a contributory factor.

Estimated average daily number of beds occupied in 1983 by patients with selected main diagnoses, NHS Hospitals in England
Diagnosis International Classification of Disease codes Estimated average number of beds occupied daily
Ischaemic heart disease 410–414 5,950
Malignant neoplasm of trachae, bronchus and lung 162 1,830
Bronchitis and emphysema 490–492 1,310
Other obstructive lung disease 496 880
Diagnosis International Classification of Disease codes Estimated average number of beds occupied daily
Total of conditions listed above 9,970

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the percentage of outpatients at chest clinics who attend as a result of smoking-induced illnesses; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

In 1983, there were 179,700 new attendances at outpatient clinics for chest diseases in National Health Service hospitals in England. It is not possible to estimate the proportion of patients who attend as a result of smoking-induced illnesses.

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many amputations are carried out each year as a result of peripheral vascular disease caused by smoking; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

An estimated 2,220 patients who underwent an amputation in National Health Service hospitals in England in 1982 were diagnosed as suffering from atherosclerosis and other peripheral vascular diseases. It is not known how many cases were smoking-related.

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the number of premature deaths caused by the use of tobacco; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The Royal College of Physicians estimates that at least 100,000 deaths occur each year as a result of smoking.

Number of deaths in England and Wales
Year Morphine type* drug dependence Morphine type* non-dependent abuse Poisoning† involving heroin
1979 43 3
1980 43 9
1981 29 1 10
1982 58 3 8
1983 64 1 10
* Heroin, Methadone, Opium, Opium alkaloids and their derivatives, and synthetics with morphine-like effects.
† Accidental, suicidal or undetermined.