Aims
To investigate trends in volatile substance abuse (VSA) deaths over 25 years
Design
A national mortality surveillance programme with standardised data collection procedures.
Setting
The United Kingdom and Islands.
Participants/Measurements
All VSA deaths, 1983-2007
Findings
In the five quinquennia from 1983 to 2007 the numbers of VSA deaths were 449, 609, 378, 349 and 258 respectively. There were gradual increases in the mean age at death in males and females, in the number of VSA deaths in women, and in the proportion of VSA deaths where fatal abuse occurred indoors. Coincident with the 1992 Department of Health Advertising Campaign, VSA deaths in boys and girls (<18 years of age) fell by an estimated 56% (95% CI: 36% to 70%) and 64% (20% to 84%) respectively from the underlying trend but there was no evidence of any similar step change in either group following the 1999 Legislation prohibiting sales of cigarette lighter refills containing butane to under-18s.
Between 1983-1987 and 2003-2007, the ratio of aerosol to gas fuel deaths fell by an estimated 80% (57% to 91%) in adults while the ratio of glue to gas fuel deaths fell by an estimated 95% (89% to 97%) in adults and an estimated 87% (-1% to 98%) in children.
Conclusions
Volatile substance abuse-related deaths in the United Kingdom are associated with older age, and indoor consumption of gas fuels.