Introduction:
To identify the optimum geographic locations of establishing smoking cessation services for cancer patients in Crete.

Material and Methods:
Data (1992-2013) for selected tobacco induced cancers (lung, oral cavity and pharynx, nasal cavity and paranasal sinus, larynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidney, liver, bladder, uterus, cervix, colon/rectum, ovary and leukemia) were obtained from the Cancer Registry of Crete (CRC). Age-Adjusted Incidence Rates (AAIR) and Smoking Attributable Fraction (SAF%) were estimated. Smoking rates were estimated by age group and other selected socio-economic and clinical variables. All rates were mapped and analyzed in the ArcGIS 10.3.1. The Getis ord statistic, K-Means (a=0.05) and multi-criteria model builder were performed.

Results:
The AAIR for tobacco-related cancers was 160 new cases/100,000/year (AAIRmales=222.1/100,000/year; AAIRfemales=98.7/100,000/year). Larynx (SAF=71.4%), esophagus (SAF=42.4%), lung (SAF=41.9%), oral cavity (SAF=38.7%) and bladder (SAF=36.5%) presented the highest SAFs in all the municipalities of Crete. Significant variations were observed in the geographical distribution of all estimated rates (Pvalue<0.05). Higher smoking rates among the cancer patients were observed in two urban centers, as well as in several rural municipalities with lower income rates (mean income/year<9,000euro). Ten different locations were identified as optimal areas for smoking cessation services; alternative locations are also provided.

Conclusions:
The proposed optimum locations for establishing smoking cessation services are expected to contribute to the enhancement of cancer control in Crete. Furthermore, this study will guide a smoking cessation program in the region of Crete aiming to minimize the burden of tobacco-induced cancers.