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 indirect costs in relation to tobacco use, socio-demographic characteristics, and (behavioural) risk factors. A total of 10 829 individuals were included in the analyses, of which 47.7% were men, with 15% being smokers. Men were more likely to be smokers than women (56.8% vs. 43.2%; P < 0.001). Compared to never smokers, significantly higher direct medical costs were found for daily (20%; P = 0.03) and former smokers (27%; P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed for the indirect costs for the smoking population compared to never smokers. Taking into account that 15% of the Belgian population were daily smokers in 2018, the national cost for daily smokers equates to €533.861.010. Results of our study show that cigarette smoking has higher direct medical costs compared with never smokers.