The economic burden of smoking in Belgium: incremental healthcare costs and lost productivity.

ABSTRACT: Tobacco use is among the leading behavioural risk factors for morbidity and mortality. These high rates result in a high cost to society. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to provide a contemporary overview of the direct medical and indirect costs attributable to smoking tobacco in Belgium. Data from the Belgian Health Interview Survey (BHIS) was combined with health insurance claims data. Healthcare costs were calculated on individuals' cigarette smoking patterns (daily, former, and never smokers). Lost productivity costs were calculated by multiplying the number of absence days by the national average wage cost per day. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses with negative binomial distribution and log link were performed to evaluate the average healthcare costs and in

SUBMITTER: Vynckier P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11832142 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature