HHS HealthBeat (October 22, 2007)

Quit, wherever you are

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Where you live seems to have an effect on whether you’ll smoke. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracks smoking on a state-by-state basis. Data show Kentucky has the highest rate in the country – almost three times that of the lowest state, which is Utah.

Although the data themselves don’t explain the difference, the CDC’s Corinne Husten says different cultures might:

``Kentucky is a tobacco-producing state, so historically the culture has supported smoking as a normative behavior. In Utah, on the other hand, there are really strong social norms against smoking.’’ (10 seconds)

Smoking kills more than 440,000 people each year. The most important thing smokers can do for their health is quit.

Help is available in all states by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW. You can also talk to your doctor about effective treatments.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss

Last revised: May, 26 2008