New statistics show Washington State's smoking rate has dropped to a new low of 15.3%, down from 16.5% the year before.
The drop is a pleasant surprise. A year ago, officials with the state Department of Health feared that stress associated with the economy would push more people to start smoking. As it turns out, the costs associated with smoking is pushing many people to kick the habit altogether.
In recent months, Quit Coaches at Washington's Quitline have taken unprecedented number of calls -- hundreds more per month.
Part of the reason, a federal tobacco tax has made smoking more spendy. Callers also tell their Quit Coaches that the economy has left them with less money and more stress.
"They usually say they've started to smoke more," said Quit Coach Lindsey King. "Like maybe they were at a pack a day and now they're at a pack-and-a-half because they're under a lot of stress. But, at the same time, they look at their finances and think, 'Well, this isn't helping me.'"
Like many programs, washington's tobacco prevention program has suffered cuts. They've had to pull back on television ads and reduce the length of time they can offer callers nicotine replacement therapies.
Even so Washington State Secretary of Health, Mary Selecky, says they are still able to offer enough support to get people started. That, coupled with the price of tobacco, has helped cut the smoking rate to a new low.
"An increased price (along) with availability of a quit line and nicotine replacement therapy, you help people on that path to quit smoking," said Selecky.
Any Washington resident can talk to a trained Quit Coach for free by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
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