A model for estimating the economic impact of secondhand smoke exposure: a study in Indiana.

Objective: This study estimated the economic cost of health services and premature loss-of-life costs from secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in Indiana.

Design And Setting: Costs of SHS-related mortality and morbidity were estimated using national attributable risk values for diseases that are causally related to SHS exposure both for adults and children. Estimated direct costs included hospital inpatient costs, loss-of-life costs, and ambulatory care costs where available, based on the most currently available Indiana hospital discharge data, vital statistics, census data, and nationally published research.