Smoking decline linked to state anti-tobacco ads

By The Associated Press

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OLYMPIA — The number of Washington smokers has dropped 12 percent since the state launched an anti-tobacco campaign four years ago, state officials announced yesterday.

"This is the most dramatic drop in smoking of any state," said Health Secretary Mary Selecky, who announced the smoking statistics with Gov. Gary Locke. "Thousands of people in our state will live longer, healthier lives because of the work we have done."

The adult smoking rate declined from 22.4 percent in 1999 to 19.7 percent in 2003. The national median smoking rate is 22 percent.

Washington state has spent about $30 million a year on anti-tobacco efforts since the Tobacco Prevention and Control program started in 2000, Selecky said. She compared that to the $230 million spent by tobacco companies marketing in Washington state each year.

"It's paying off," Locke said of the state's anti-tobacco investment, funded by the tobacco lawsuit settlement, federal grants and cigarette taxes. "These statistics are proof we're getting incredible results. We're winning the battle. We won't be satisfied until we've eliminated smoking."

The state's anti-tobacco program includes a toll-free quit line, "quit kits," outreach to health-care providers and programs in schools and other community groups.

About 44,000 people have called the Washington State Tobacco Quit Line at 877-270-STOP (7867), Selecky said. She said programs in schools that feature kids talking to other kids about smoking have proven successful.

The number of 12th-graders who smoke has decreased 36 percent between 1999 and 2002, the last year for which student smoking data is available.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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