Smoking declines in Queens

Smokers in the Borough of Homes have kicked the habit in great numbers apparently paying attention to the health warnings and anti-smoking advertisements issued by various groups and the New York City Department of Health.
The smoking rate has declined 21.6 percent from 2002 through 2006 in Queens according to a recent study reported in the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
The study shows that in 2002, there were 357,000 smokers in the borough. As of 2006, the number has decreased to 279,000, making Queens with the lowest smoking rate after Manhattan. The borough with the highest smoking rate is Staten Island.
The study shows that New York’s smoking rate in 2006 was the lowest on record, making it lower than all but five states.
The report said that smoking among young adults (ages 18-24) declined twice as much as other adult age groups. This follows a February report from the New York City Youth Park Behavior Survey that showed Queens was estimated to have 9,500 high school smokers, more than the other five boroughs.
These numbers come after a yearlong ad campaign in New York City. The campaign was directed at people of all ages and graphically showed the effects tobacco has on the brain, lungs and arteries, as well as showing testimonials from families of smokers and smokers who are sick and dying.
According the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, a different survey said that nine out of 10 smokers saw the ads and half of them said the ads made them want to quit.
“Hard-hitting ads work,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas R. Frieden who added, “Especially when they’re paired with tobacco tax and smoke-free air legislation.”
The city started an anti-smoking program in 2002. This included increased taxation, establishment of smoke free work places, public and health care provider education, cessation services and evaluation, and citywide telephone surveys.
“In spite of great progress, we have much farther to go,” said Dr. Friedan. “More than 1 million New Yorkers are still smoking, and nearly 9,000 are dying.”