Survey: Wash. has 3rd-lowest smoking rate in nation
OLYMPIA, Wash. - New survey results show the number of adults who smoke in Washington state has dropped to a new low of 14.8 percent - down from 15.3 percent the previous year.
Washington now has the third-lowest smoking rate in the nation - the state's best ranking since measuring across all 50 states started in 1995, state health officials said. Last year, the state's ranking was No. 6.
The only states with lower smoking rates this year were Utah (No. 1) and California (No. 2). Washington state tied with Massachusetts for third place, followed by Rhode Island in fifth place.
Despite the drop in smoking, people from low income and lower educational backgrounds continue to smoke at higher rates in Washington state. Smokeless tobacco use, including products like chew, is also on the rise among people who already smoke.
"Reducing tobacco use is essential to improving the overall health of our state," said Governor Chris Gregoire. "This latest drop in smoking means thousands of people will be spared early, tobacco-related deaths and the state will save billions of dollars in future health care costs."
Since the state started its Tobacco Prevention and Control Program in 2000, the smoking rate has declined by about a third.
The smoking rates among low-income people remains relatively high at 29 percent, however. The smoking rate for people with lower educational backgrounds stands at 27 percent.
While people with lower incomes try to quit as often as people with higher incomes, they are less successful, health officials said.
State health officials also are worried about an increase in the number of people using smokeless tobacco products.
"I'm pleased with our continued improvement in smoking rates, yet we've still got work to do," said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. "Smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to cigarettes."
Smokeless tobacco is a known carcinogen, causing cancer of the mouth and pancreas.
In the last 10 years smokeless tobacco use has more than doubled among people who also smoke, a trend that coincides with the tobacco industry's introduction of new smokeless tobacco products and flavoring and stepped-up marketing.
The Washington State Tobacco Quit Line (1-800-QUIT-NOW, 1-877-2NO-FUME) provides free help to people who are ready to quit - including smokeless tobacco products like chew and dip. More than 150,000 people in Washington have called the quit line for help since it opened for business in November 2000.
In the latest smoking survey, more than 20,000 adults from around the state were contacted and asked questions about tobacco use and other health behaviors.
Several things have likely contributed to Washington's continued decrease in adult smoking, health officials said.
Key factors include one of the nation's strongest smoke-free laws, the third-highest cigarette tax in the country and a comprehensive tobacco prevention and control program.
The tobacco industry spends more than $146 million each year in Washington state to market its products. About 7,500 people in our state die every year from tobacco-related diseases.
Washington now has the third-lowest smoking rate in the nation - the state's best ranking since measuring across all 50 states started in 1995, state health officials said. Last year, the state's ranking was No. 6.
The only states with lower smoking rates this year were Utah (No. 1) and California (No. 2). Washington state tied with Massachusetts for third place, followed by Rhode Island in fifth place.
Despite the drop in smoking, people from low income and lower educational backgrounds continue to smoke at higher rates in Washington state. Smokeless tobacco use, including products like chew, is also on the rise among people who already smoke.
"Reducing tobacco use is essential to improving the overall health of our state," said Governor Chris Gregoire. "This latest drop in smoking means thousands of people will be spared early, tobacco-related deaths and the state will save billions of dollars in future health care costs."
Since the state started its Tobacco Prevention and Control Program in 2000, the smoking rate has declined by about a third.
The smoking rates among low-income people remains relatively high at 29 percent, however. The smoking rate for people with lower educational backgrounds stands at 27 percent.
While people with lower incomes try to quit as often as people with higher incomes, they are less successful, health officials said.
State health officials also are worried about an increase in the number of people using smokeless tobacco products.
"I'm pleased with our continued improvement in smoking rates, yet we've still got work to do," said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. "Smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to cigarettes."
Smokeless tobacco is a known carcinogen, causing cancer of the mouth and pancreas.
In the last 10 years smokeless tobacco use has more than doubled among people who also smoke, a trend that coincides with the tobacco industry's introduction of new smokeless tobacco products and flavoring and stepped-up marketing.
The Washington State Tobacco Quit Line (1-800-QUIT-NOW, 1-877-2NO-FUME) provides free help to people who are ready to quit - including smokeless tobacco products like chew and dip. More than 150,000 people in Washington have called the quit line for help since it opened for business in November 2000.
In the latest smoking survey, more than 20,000 adults from around the state were contacted and asked questions about tobacco use and other health behaviors.
Several things have likely contributed to Washington's continued decrease in adult smoking, health officials said.
Key factors include one of the nation's strongest smoke-free laws, the third-highest cigarette tax in the country and a comprehensive tobacco prevention and control program.
The tobacco industry spends more than $146 million each year in Washington state to market its products. About 7,500 people in our state die every year from tobacco-related diseases.
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