The Premature Mortality Cost of Cancers Attributable to Secondhand Smoking in Indonesia

Abstract

Objectives: Many studies reported that secondhand smoke associated with many health problems including multiple types of cancer. Both secondhand smoking and cancer have a significant economic impact on society, especially in developing countries. To assess this economic burden, we estimated the costs of lost productivity due to premature mortality cancer attributable to secondhand smoking in Indonesia.
Methods: This study used to estimating the number of premature mortality cost (PMC) of six cancers (lung, bladder, colorectal, stomach, pancreas and larynx) due to secondhand smoking in Indonesia. This research was using descriptive epidemiological prevalence-based research design, with cancers mortality data gained from Indonesian National Health Insurance (NHI) database in 2016.
Results: Burden priorities for Indonesian men and women accounted for IDR 1,075 trillion by lung cancer, IDR 667 trillion by colorectal cancer and IDR 336 trillion by pancreas cancer out of total PMC IDR 2,665 trillion. We also calculated present value for total PMC which was IDR 2,512 trillion after discounted by 3%. The higher premature mortality cost in males than females reflects higher wages and rates of workforce participation.
Conclusion: Lost productivity costs due to cancers related to secondhand smoking premature mortality were significant source of high economic burden in Indonesia. The result of this study may provide an alternative perspective on the cancer burden on society and to strengthen tobacco and smoke free control policy decisions.