The cost of smoking: an emergency department analysis.

A representative sample of emergency departments visits was taken to determine the incidence of tobacco-related illnesses. Seven percent of all visits and 12% of gross billings were for illnesses associated with tobacco use. After calculation of attributable risk it was determined that 3% of visits and 5% of gross billings were directly attributable to tobacco. When the latter figures are extrapolated to all emergency departments in the United States, the result is nearly 2.5 million visits and $0.5 billion per year.