A considerable proportion of cancer deaths are attributable to cigarette smoking, with variation across regions, according to a study published in Cancer Causes & Control. Investigators estimated smoking-related population-attributable fractions (PAFs) for cancer mortality in those aged 30 and older in 2013-2017 in 152 metropolitan or micropolitan statistical areas (MMSAs). Cross-sectional data for cigarette smoking prevalence were obtained from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, and cancer mortality data were obtained from the US Cancer Statistics Database. The smoking-related PAFs of cancer varied from 8.8% in Logan (Utah-Idaho) to 35.7% in Lexington-Fayette (Kentucky). The MMSAs with the highest PAFs were in Appalachia and the South region. Within regions or states, there was substantial variation observed in PAFs across MMSAs; for example, the PAF ranged from 24.2% to 33.7% in the Northeast.

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