To estimate the number of hospital bed-days A_k pertaining to disease k and related to tobacco smoking, it was assumed that A_k is proportional to BDAYS_k(the total number of bed-days pertaining to disease k) with proportionality coefficient SAF_k:

A_k = SAF_k*BDAYS_k.

BDAYS_k were calculated from CHARS (Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System) data base.

To estimate the number of visits B_k to the outpatient hospital that pertained to disease k and related to tobacco smoking, it was assumed that B_k is proportional to VIS_k- the total number of visits pertaining to disease k (k-visits), with proportionality coefficient SAF_k. The estimates of VIS_k were calculated from the Regence Washington Health data base representing 63,296 members. It was assumed that

VIS_k = [665,200/63,296]*VIS_REG_k ,

where

VIS_REG_k - proportion of k-visits in Regence Washington Health database, and 665,200 - Pierce County population.