12 States With Smoking Rates 50 Percent Higher Than the Rest of the Country
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.
By Physician’s Briefing Staff HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, July 5, 2023 -- Despite overall national declines in smoking, Americans who live in the South and Midwest are still much more likely to smoke, and smoke more, than those living in other states, a new report shows.
A nonprofit nonsmoking advocacy group has identified what it calls "Tobacco Nation," areas of the South and Midwest where smoking is 50 percent more common than in other states. Truth Initiative revealed that those states are Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
"Due in part to policies that favor the tobacco industry over public health, residents of 'Tobacco Nation' are too often suffering from shorter life expectancy, worse indicators of health, and high prevalence of tobacco use," Barbara Schillo, chief research officer at Truth Initiative, said in a statement.
Truth Initiative shared some hard numbers, including that about 28 percent of smokers live in these 12 states, even though they comprise only 21 percent of the U.S. population. About 19 percent of adults smoke in these regions compared with 13 percent in other states. Young adults were similarly affected, with 11 percent of adults younger than 25 years smoking compared with 8 percent in other states. Teens were also more likely to smoke.
Truth Initiative also found that the people in those states who smoke tend to light up more than smokers in other states, using about 53 packs in a year, on average. In other parts of the country, the average is 29 packs a year. In turn, life expectancy is lower in these states by about three years, at age 76 years.
Truth Initiative blames the numbers on weaker local policy on tobacco prevention and cessation. Industry influence and lack of political will by those who govern are among other reasons why.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted July 2023
Read this next
Smoking Cessation Aids Equally Effective in Those With Mental Health Conditions
THURSDAY, June 6, 2024 -- Popular smoking cessation aids are equally effective in those with or without a history of mental health conditions, according to a study published...
Parental E-Cigarette Use Linked to Increase in Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis
TUESDAY, May 28, 2024 -- Parental electronic cigarette use is associated with increased odds of pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD), according to a research letter published online...
E-Cigarette Use After Smoking May Up Risk for Lung Cancer
WEDNESDAY, May 22, 2024 -- Former cigarette smokers who use electronic cigarettes may have a higher risk for lung cancer than those who do not vape, according to a study presented...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.