Alcohol, smoking and mortality in France since 1950: an evaluation of the number of deaths in 1986 due to alcohol and tobacco consumption.

"In the present study, we first attempt to evaluate how many deaths [in France] in a given year (1986) are brought on prematurely by drinking and smoking.... This first stage revealed a number of causes which are largely alcohol--or smoking--related. We next compare the time trends in mortality from these causes and in alcohol and tobacco consumption. Third, we consider these selected causes, along with traumas, another source of premature deaths, in relation to mortality from all causes, and follow the changes over time in levels and age structures. We thus measure the impact of these causes on the general death rates since 1950. Finally, we examine how these causes have contributed to the increase of excess male mortality during the last 40 years."