Newswise — The prevalence of youth and adult smoking declined faster in New York than in the United States as a whole in 2006, according to a new study by researchers at RTI International.
According to the report, funded by the New York State Department of Health, efforts by the Tobacco Control Program to reduce smoking continue to be successful. The report is the fourth independent evaluation of New York's Tobacco Control Program.
Based on the findings, in 2003 the prevalence of adult smoking in New York was identical to that of the U.S. as a whole at about 20 percent, but by 2006 New York smoking dropped to 18 percent while the national rate stayed the same.
"The fact that declines in smoking rates in New York have outpaced those in the United States suggests that there are factors unique to New York that are causing these differences," said Matthew Farrelly, Ph.D., director of RTI's Public Health Policy Research Program and the report's lead author. "The New York Tobacco Control Program's efforts and tobacco control policies in New York are likely responsible for these changes."
During 2006, the Tobacco Control Program increased allocations for tobacco counter-marketing efforts, the New York Smokers' Quitline, and community interventions such as School Policy Partners, Cessation Centers, and Community Partnerships initiatives.
"This independent evaluation report recognizes the outstanding work New York State has done in making people aware of the dangers of tobacco use, and bringing down use rates among both youth and adults," said Richard F. Daines, M.D, New York State Department of Health Commissioner. "The report also points out ways we can improve and have an even bigger impact in the future."
In order to achieve the New York's Tobacco Control Program 2010 goal of reducing the number of smokers by one million, the report recommended the following measures:
Maintaining or increasing the $85 million annual funding level Increasing the price of cigarettes by raising the cigarette excise tax and reducing tax evasion through Indian reservation sales to non-Indians. Running aggressive media and countermarketing campaigns that reach sixty percent of the target population and drive 230,000 calls per year to the New York State Smokers' Quitline
Since 2000, New York has committed more than $250 million through 2006 to prevent and reduce tobacco use. During that time, adult smoking prevalence has declined by 16 percent and smoking among high school students has declined by 40 percent. The number of smokers in New York has declined by more than 600,000.
About RTI International RTI International is one of the world's leading research institutes, dedicated to improving the human condition by turning knowledge into practice. With projects in more than 40 countries and a staff of more than 2,600, RTI offers innovative research and technical solutions to governments and businesses worldwide in the areas of health and pharmaceuticals, education and training, surveys and statistics, advanced technology, democratic governance, economic and social development, energy, and the environment. For more information, visit http://www.rti.org.
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