pack year

Definition / meaning of pack year

A way to measure the amount a person has smoked over a long period of time. It is calculated by multiplying the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day by the number of years the person has smoked. For example, 1 pack year is equal to smoking 1 pack per day for 1 year, or 2 packs per day for half a year, and so on.

Listed under:

Find More About 'pack year'

Source(s):

The Web site of the National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.gov/)

Leave a Comment