§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people died from smoking-related diseases in each of the last three years. [40047]
§ Mr. HagueThe available information is as follows. All figures for 1995 are provisional.
The specific category of smoking-related disease is not defined explicitly. Three diseases commonly caused by smoking are: lung cancer, coronary heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
865WThe total number of deaths occurring in Wales from lung cancer was 2,017 in 1993, 1,966 in 1994 and 1,864 in 1995. It is likely that smoking would have been a major factor in between 90 and 95 per cent. of these deaths.
The total number of deaths occurring in Wales from coronary heart disease was 9,676 in 1993, 8,611 in 1994 and 8,739 in 1995. The total number of deaths occurring in Wales from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was 1,802 in 1993, 1,557 in 1994 and 1,990 in 1995. It is likely that smoking would have been a major factor in a significant proportion of these deaths.