Washington has third-lowest adult-smoking rate in nation

Washington now has the third-lowest adult-smoking rate in the country, according to the Washington State Department of Health, but people with lower incomes and educational backgrounds continue to smoke at higher rates. In addition, use of smokeless tobacco, such as chew, is on the rise among smokers.

Currently, 14.8 percent of adults in the state smoke, down from 15.3 percent last year — the lowest rate since the states began measuring and comparing smoking rates in 1995.

An estimated 750,000 adults in Washington state still smoke, the health department said.

Since the state started its Tobacco Prevention and Control Program in 2000, the state adult-smoking rate has declined by about a third. The smoking rates among people from low income or with lower educational backgrounds remain high at 29 and 27 percent, respectively.

Utah and California were the first and second-ranked states, according to figures provided by the health department.

State health officials attribute the smoking-rate decrease to the state's strong smoke-free laws, high cigarette tax (the third highest in the country) and tobacco prevention and control program.

The Washington State Tobacco Quit Line (1-800-QUIT-NOW) 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.

More information about quitting tobacco is provided online (www.Quitline.com).

Carol M. Ostrom: 206-464-2249 or costrom@seattletimes.com