Alarm through tobacco consumption: hospital admissions in Schleswig-Holstein increase!

Alarm through tobacco consumption: hospital admissions in Schleswig-Holstein increase!

Schleswig-Holstein, Deutschland - On May 31, the World Niche Smoking Day will be celebrated, an occasion that stimulates thinking about the health dangers of tobacco consumption. Various organizations require politics to increase tobacco tax and a strict ban on advertising for tobacco and nicotine products. According to the AOK Nordwest, an alarming trend is recorded: the number of hospital admissions due to tobacco consumption in Schleswig-Holstein rose to 14,418 in 2023, which corresponds to an increase of 8% compared to 2022. Patients with chronically obstructive lung diseases (COPD) and tumors in lungs and respiratory tract are particularly affected.

Tom Ackermann, CEO of AOK Nordwest, emphasizes the critical role of smoking as the greatest avoidable risk factor for cancer and COPD. He also demands measures that should support the waiver of smoke, especially in young people. In Schleswig-Holstein, 108,900 COPD patients are currently living over 40 years, which is 6.3% of the total population.

risk and prevalence of the COPD

chronically obstructive lung diseases lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath and frequent coughing and represent the most common disease caused by smoking. As a preventive measure, offers for smoke waiver are considered essential. The current Prevalence of COPD in Germany varies regionally and in smoking areas the disease rate is significantly higher. According to the Health Atlas COPD of the AOK scientific institute (WIDO), around 7.8% of people aged 40 and over are affected in regions with a high proportion of smoking, compared to 6.3% in low -smoke.

The health atlas also shows that the frequency of illness increases with age. In the age group of 85- to 89-year-olds, the rates are highest in men and women with 16.4% and 11.6% respectively. The social structure also has an impact on prevalence. According to the WIDO study, the disease rate is between 7.7% and 7.9% in socially disadvantaged regions, while wealthy regions have a share of 6.2% to 6.6%.

decline in COPD diseases

Despite this decline, smoking remains the main factor that leads to the development of COPD. The fine dust pollution and respiratory infections are also contributing factors, which must be observed in particular in large cities. Another worrying aspect is the high number of unreported cases of those affected, since it is not always documented how strongly tobacco addiction is widespread.

Finally, the action alliance will not be smoked on World Niche Smoking Day an end to marketing for tobacco products. In view of the persistently high number of tobacco consumers in Germany, prevention proves to be a key strategic to avoid diseases such as COPD. In view of these relationships, further political measures are urgently required to protect the health of the population.