Despite declines in adult smoking prevalence over the past decade, the rates of decline will very likely be too slow in almost all states other than Utah to achieve the Healthy People 2010 objective for reducing adult cigarette smoking prevalence to 12 percent or less unless comprehensive, evidence–based tobacco control programs—including expanded access to cessation services, such as quit lines— are fully implemented in all states. According to 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, smoking prevalence among adults varied substantially among the 50 states, District of Columbia, and the U.S. Territories including Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. Current smoking prevalence was almost twofold higher in states such as Kentucky (28.3 percent), West Virginia (27 percent), and Oklahoma (25.8 percent) compared to smoking prevalence seen in Utah (11.7 percent) and California (14.3 percent). Variations in adult smoking prevalence across the United States and the U.S. Territories can be attributed to factors such as differences in population demographics, differing levels of tobacco control programs and policies, and variations in tobacco industry marketing and promotion. Trend analyses indicated that smoking prevalence declined in 44 states, DC and Puerto Rico from 1998–2007 with six states having no declines in prevalence during this time.
State-Specific Prevalence and Trends in Adult Cigarette Smoking – United States, 1998-2007
From the Terry Pechacek, Associate Director for Science, Office on Smoking and Health
(770) 488-5493
For more information visit: http://www.cdc.gov/media/mmwrnews/2009/n090312.htm
