For immediate release: September 17, 2008 (08-156)

Contacts:
Tim Church, Communications Office 360-236-4077; 360-534-0068 (pgr)

Adult smoking drops slightly; rate hits new low
Health department providing quit support and medications for groups smoking at higher rates

OLYMPIA – A new state survey shows the adult smoking rate in Washington is continuing to go down, yet the decline is slowing. When the Department of Health began its comprehensive Tobacco Prevention and Control Program in 2000, the adult smoking rate was 22.4 percent. The most recent survey shows the smoking rate has decreased slightly from 17 percent in 2006 to a new low of 16.5 percent in 2007. At the same time, rates remain higher among people with low income and low education.

Washington’s 25 percent drop in adult smoking since 2000 translates to 240,000 fewer people smoking and an estimated savings of $2.1 billion in future healthcare costs. The state remains well below the national smoking rate of 19.8 percent.

"Our state’s commitment to tobacco prevention is making a big difference. People are quitting smoking and Washington is healthier because of it," said Governor Chris Gregoire. "The numbers also show we have some big challenges. We must find ways to reach those who are not getting the message that help is available."

The majority of people who smoke in Washington are either low income or have lower levels of education. The smoking rate for people with low income is 32 percent; the rate for people with a high school diploma or less is 27 percent. Both are significantly higher than the state’s overall smoking rate of 16.5 percent. New outreach efforts are underway to promote the free help available for people who want to quit tobacco — particularly those at higher risk.

"State quit line services were recently expanded to specifically help low income smokers," said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. "Now everyone on Medicaid has free access to counseling, nicotine patches or gum, and prescription medications, if they need it. I know quitting smoking is tough. We’re trying to provide people the help and support they need to succeed."

As of July 1, 2008, people on Medicaid have extra support to help them quit, including prescription medications written by their doctor. To receive the benefit, Medicaid clients can call the toll-free Washington State Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-877-2NO-FUME in Spanish). Already the quit line is receiving about 19 calls a day from Medicaid clients.

The Tobacco Quit Line provides some level of quit support for all Washington residents, including counseling, help with a personalized quit plan, and at least a two-week supply of nicotine patches or gum. More than 105,000 Washingtonians have already called the quit line for help.

"People who quit smoking live longer, healthier lives," said Secretary Selecky. "We want to make sure everyone is aware and takes advantage of the free help that’s available."

To promote the quit line’s free services, the Department of Health is participating in the national "Become an EX" campaign, which features advertising in both English and Spanish. In addition, the Department of Health will launch an original advertising campaign in January 2009 and conduct grassroots outreach to target groups with disparities in tobacco use.

While Washington has made significant headway in lowering smoking rates overall, there’s still work to do. The tobacco industry continues to spend more than $164 million each year in our state to hook smokers. About 45 youth start smoking each day and about 7,500 people in our state die every year from tobacco-related diseases.

Media materials http://www.quitline.com/pressroom.php are available online.
Adult Smoking Fact Sheet

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