KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - The King County smoking rate has reached a new low, dropping to 12.4% of adults in 2006 compared to 13.3% in 2005 and 18.2% in 2000. Since 2000, there are approximately 78,000 fewer adult smokers in King County.

Despite improvements, people who make less than $25,000 a year in King County are more than twice as likely to smoke as those who make over $50,000, according to the most recent results of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey.

“While great progress has been made we have not been equally successful for all people. As a result, tobacco use is affecting the poor more than others, and we need effective approaches for those at risk,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County.

Public Health has programs for populations with higher smoking rates. For example, the department provides resources, including technical support and medications to help smokers quit, to more than 30 King County medical clinics that serve lower income populations.

“Without Public Health, I would not be able to provide nicotine replacement therapy to many of the patients that I see,” said Jeff Harvey, Behavioral Health Consultant at the Auburn Community Health Center. “Not only does Public Health provide nicotine replacement, they are an excellent resource for smoking cessation literature, seminars and training.”

Continued local, state and national public health efforts have made a difference by helping people to quit and reducing the number of new smokers. Additionally, Washington State’s smoking ban took effect in December 2005. The Tobacco Prevention Program has tracked bars, restaurants, and other businesses coming into compliance with the ban, and the program has supported and educated businesses. In recent months, the number of complaints has decreased dramatically compared to when the ban started.

Tobacco use continues to be the number one preventable cause of death in the United States, taking more than 400,000 lives each year.

For more information on Public Health’s Tobacco Prevention Program, visit: www.metrokc.gov/health/tobacco

Providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services for over 1.8 million residents and visitors of King County, Public Health – Seattle & King County works for safer and healthier communities for everyone, every day.

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