The Georgia Department of Public Health
Tobacco Use in Northeast Health District*:
2014 Data Summary
Cigarette Smoking and Smoking-attributable Mortality in the 10-0 Northeast (Athens) Health District during 2008-2013
In 2014, the overall prevalence of smoking among adults aged 18 years and older in Athens health district (20%; 58,000 adults) was higher than both the Georgia (17%; 1.25 million adults) and the national (17%; 40 million adults) prevalences.
Cigarette smoking was higher among males (24%; 33,000) than among females (16%; 25,500).
Cigarette smoking was higher among NonHispanic (NH) White (23%; 50,000) than NonHispanic (NH) Black adults (8%; 4,500).
Approximately 13% (515/1,560) of all deaths among adults aged 35 years and older were attributed to cigarette smoking (Figure 1).
Of these, o 233 of 382 deaths (45%) were due to cancer. o 155 of 258 deaths (30%) were due to respiratory disease. o 138 of 920 deaths (27%) were due to cardiovascular disease.
Lung Cancer Incidence among Adults Aged 35 Years and Older in the Athens Health District and Georgia as a whole during 2008-2014
The age-adjusted lung cancer incidence rate among males (48.4 per 100,000; 721 cases) was higher than the state lung cancer incidence rate (46.3 per 100,000; 13,760 cases).
The age-adjusted lung cancer incidence rate among females (30.7 per 100,000; 560 cases) was similar to the state lung cancer incidence rate among females (30.2 per 100,000; 11,270 cases) (Figure 2).

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August 2016

Tobacco Use in Northeast Health District: 2014 Data Summary

In the Athens Health District, the lung cancer incidence rate among NH Black males (62.9 per 100,000; 133 cases) was significantly higher than the lung cancer incidence rate among NH White males (46.0 per 100,000; 573 cases) (Figure 3).
The lung cancer incidence rate for NH White females (30.6 per 100,000; 457 cases) was similar to the NH Black females (31.6 per 100,000; 92 cases) (Figure 3).

Secondhand Smoke Exposure in the Athens Health

District in 2014

Approximately 56% (250,000) of Athens Health Exosure to secondhand smoke was significantly

District adults were exposed to secondhand

higher among NH White adults (37%; 165,000)

smokea, which was more than the overall Georgia

than NH Black adults (11%; 50,000).

prevalence of secondhand smoke exposure (45%; Adults with less than a college degree (18%;

5.3 million).

81,000) were more likely to be exposed to

Adults were significantly more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke in public places

secondhand smoke than college graduates (16%; 72,000).

(45%; 195,000) than in the workplace (15%;

Overall, the percent of adults in the Athens

40,000), in a vehicle (13%; 60,000), and at home

Health District who support strict enforcement of

(4%; 17,500) (Figure 4). Secondhand smoke exposure was higher among
males (36%; 159,000) than females (21%;

tobacco use polices related to indoor/outdoor public placesb increased from 90% (250,000) in 2009-2010 to 91% (386,000) in 2014.

91,000).

*Athens Health District: Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Madison, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, and Walton counties aSecondhand smoke exposure includes exposure at home, work, public place, or vehicle bResults based on 2014 ATS question, "Should policies that don't allow tobacco use in indoor or outdoor public places be strictly enforced?" Yes or No
Definitions
1. Adults are defined as civilian persons aged 18 years and older, unless otherwise stated. 2. Cigarette smokers are defined as those who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and are currently smoking. 3. Lung cancer incidence rates are age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population.
Data sources
1. 2014 Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2. Georgia Vital Statistics, 2008, 2010-2013; CDC SAMMEC web application (http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/sammec/) 3. CDC. Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults United States, 2014; Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/adult_data/cig_smoking/index.htm#national 4. Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Registry (GCCR), 2008-2014 Age-Adjusted Cancer Incidence Rates for the State of Georgia 5. 2009-2010 National Adult Tobacco Survey (NATS) and 2014 Adult Tobacco Survey (ATS)