Back to Search Start Over

Decreasing residential fire death rates and the association with the prevalence of adult cigarette smoking - United States, 1999-2015.

Authors :
Kegler SR
Dellinger AM
Ballesteros MF
Tsai J
Source :
Journal of safety research [J Safety Res] 2018 Dec; Vol. 67, pp. 197-201. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Jun 19.
Publication Year :
2018

Abstract

Introduction: Each year from 1999 through 2015, residential fires caused between 2,000 and 3,000 deaths in the U.S., totaling approximately 45,000 deaths during this period. A disproportionate number of such deaths are attributable to smoking in the home. This study examines national trends in residential fire death rates, overall and smoking-related, and their relationship to adult cigarette smoking prevalence, over this same period.<br />Methods: Summary data characterizing annual U.S. residential fire deaths and annual prevalence of adult cigarette smoking for the years 1999-2015, drawn from the National Vital Statistics System, the National Fire Protection Association, and the National Health Interview Survey were used to relate trends in overall and smoking-related rates of residential fire death to changes in adult cigarette smoking prevalence.<br />Results: Statistically significant downward trends were identified for both the rate of residential fire death (an average annual decrease of 2.2% - 2.6%) and the rate of residential fire death attributed to smoking (an average annual decrease of 3.5%). The decreasing rate of residential fire death was strongly correlated with a gradually declining year-to-year prevalence of adult cigarette smoking (r = 0.83), as was the decreasing rate of residential fire death attributed to smoking (r = 0.80).<br />Conclusions and Practical Applications: Decreasing U.S. residential fire death rates, both overall and smoking-related, coincided with a declining prevalence of adult cigarette smoking during 1999-2015. These findings further support tobacco control efforts and fire prevention strategies that include promotion of smoke-free homes. While the general health benefits of refraining from smoking are widely accepted, injury prevention represents a potential benefit that is less recognized.<br /> (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1879-1247
Volume :
67
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Journal of safety research
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
30553424
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2018.06.001