HC Deb 20 December 1988 vol 144 cc243-5W
Mr. Amos

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of deaths from lung cancer he attributes to smoking; and how many such deaths occurred in people under 65 years, and in all age groups, in the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Mr. Freeman

[holding answer 16 December 1988]: It is not possible to be precise, but it is estimated that at least 90 per cent. of deaths from cancer of the lung is attributable to smoking1. The table gives the remaining information requested. The death rate for all males is falling, whilst that for all females is rising.

Estimated average daily number of occupied beds and total in-patient days, by selected diagnoses, NHS acute sector, England 1985
Main diagnosis ICD1 Average number of beds occupied daily2 Total in-patient days (thousands)
Malignant Neoplasm of:
Trachea, Bronchus and Lung 162 1,765 644.2
Lip, Oral cavity and Pharynx 140-149 271 98.9
Oesophagus 150 344 125.6
Larynx 161 160 58.4
Diseases of Circulatory system:
Ischaemic heart disease 410-414 5,511 2,011.5
Chronic Pulmonory heart disease 416 91 33.2
Aortic Aneurysm 441 213 77.7
Diseases of the Respiratory system:
Bronchitis and Emphysema 490-492 916 334.3
Chronic Airways Obstruction (not elsewhere classified) 496 1,572 573.8
All diseases listed above 10,843 3,957.7
All acute specialties 100,659 36,740.5
Smoking related diagnoses as a percentage of total 10.8 10.8

Notes:

1 International classification of diseases, ninth revision.

2 Based on the hospital in-patient inquiry and SH3 1985.

Mr. Amos

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the percentage of out-patients at chest clinics who attend as a result of smoking-induced illnesses; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Freeman

[holding answer 16 December]: We do not collect centrally diagnostic out-patient information.

Number of deaths with underlying cause as malignant neoplasm of trachea, bronchus and lung (ICD° 8, 9 162) at ages under 65 years and at all ages—England and Wales 1978–1987.
Year Number of deaths
Under 65 years All ages
1978 11,847 34,348
1979 11,701 34,760
1980 11,355 35,168
1981 11,132 34,727
1982 10,957 34,832
1983 11,021 35,572
21984 11,070 35,739
1985 10,665 35,792
31986 10,094 35,257
1987 9,549 35,138
1International Classification of Diseases 8th and 9th revisions.
2Due to a change in coding rules, deaths prior to 1984 are not strictly comparable with those of later years.
3Statistics for 1986 and 1987 exclude deaths at age under 28 days.

Mr. Amos

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

Mr. Freeman

[holding answer 16 December 1988]: The available information for the main diseases associated with smoking is given in the table. Not all illness from these diseases is attributable to smoking. In particular, smoking is only one of a number of causes of ischaemic heart disease.

Mr. Amos

To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. Freeman

[holding answer 16 December 1988]: The publication, "Amputation Statistics for England, Wales and Northern Ireland 1987", a copy of which is in the Library, contains figures on the number of amputations of various limbs as a result of several forms of vascular insufficiency, but we do not collect centrally information on whether or not the amputee smoked.

Mr. Amos

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to the National Health Service of smoking-related diseases for the last year for which figures were available.

Mr. Freeman

[holding answer 16 December 1988]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Chislehurst (Mr. Sims) on 10 March at columns 339-340.

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