Tobacco use drops 12 percent

OLYMPIA — The number of Washington smokers has dropped 12 percent since the state launched an anti-tobacco campaign four years ago, state officials announced Thursday.

“This is the most dramatic drop in smoking of any state,” said Health Department Director Mary Selecky, who announced the smoking statistics with Gov. Gary Locke. “Thousands of people in our state will live longer, healthier lives because of the work we have done.”

The adult smoking rate declined from 22.4 percent in 1999 to 19.7 percent in 2003. The national median smoking rate is 22 percent.

Washington state has spent about $30 million a year on anti-tobacco efforts since the Tobacco Prevention and Control program started in 2000, Selecky said. She compared that to the $230 million spent by tobacco companies marketing in Washington state each year.

“It’s paying off,” Locke said of the state’s anti-tobacco investment, funded by the tobacco lawsuit settlement, federal grants and cigarette taxes. “These statistics are proof we’re getting incredible results. We’re winning the battle. We won’t be satisfied until we’ve eliminated smoking.”

The state’s anti-tobacco program includes a toll-free quit line, “quit kits,” outreach to health care providers and programs in schools and other community groups.

About 44,000 people have called the Washington State Tobacco Quit Line at (877) 270-STOP (7867), Selecky said. She said programs in schools that feature kids talking to other kids about smoking have proven successful.

The drop in smoking will save $1.4 billion in future medical costs, state officials said, and will prevent 38,000 early tobacco-related deaths.