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County smoking rate still above average

Wednesday, September 17, 2008 11:31 PM PDT

By Barbara LaBoe
blaboe@tdn.com

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Slightly fewer adults are smoking in the state and locally, but Cowlitz County residents continue to puff away at higher-than-average rates, according to figures released Wednesday.

The state smoking rate for adults dropped from 17 percent in 2006 to 16.5 percent in 2007, according to a state survey. Officials said they were happy that the trend continued downward, even if only slightly.

Overall, the state smoking rate has deceased from 22.4 percent since 2000 and is below the national level of 19.8 percent.

"Our state's commitment to tobacco prevention is making a big difference," Gov. Chris Gregoire said in a press release. "People are quitting smoking, and Washington is healthier because of it."

Cowlitz County saw a slight decrease as well, but the county's overall rate is still far too high, officials said. In 2007, 22.4 percent of adults said they smoked, down from 23.4 percent in 2006.

The county has the sixth-highest smoking rate in the state, and its three-year average is 22.6 percent of adults smoking, according to the state Department of Health.

Cowlitz County's rates aren't surprising because smoking has been a problem for a number of years. They do, however, hammer home the need for societal changes and opinions about smoking, said Jessica Bell, the county's tobacco program coordinator.

"We, as a community, need to help reduce these overall rates," Bell said. "Cowlitz County has societal norms about smoking, and we as a community need to turn that around."

In addition to the adult smoking rate, the number of local women who smoke while pregnant also is a concern and is above state averages. In the state, 10.3 percent of pregnant mothers smoke; in Cowlitz County, it's 27.5 percent. Particularly concerning, Bell said, is that the number of mothers smoking during pregnancy increased slightly in 2007 from the 26.4 percent in 2006.

Statewide, officials noted that majority of people who smoke are either low-income or have lower levels of education, such as a high school diploma or less. Of the low-income people surveyed, 32 percent smoke. People with a high school diploma or less have a 27 percent smoking rate, according to the state. Both could be factors in Cowlitz County's smoking rate, as well as a historically high smoking rate and community tolerance, officials said.

The state is trying to focus on these populations, including a change that allows everyone on Medicaid free access to smoking cessation counseling, nicotine patches or gum and prescription mediations if they need it.

Elsewhere in Southwest Washington, adult smoking rates were 17.5 percent in Clark County, 21.6 percent in Lewis County, 13.2 percent in Wahkiakum County and 24 percent in Pacific County.

The county Health Department and Cowlitz on the Move have formed a tobacco coalition to address smoking in the county. There also are statewide programs to help people quit smoking. In Cowlitz County in 2007 432 residents called the state's quit line at (800) QUIT-NOW. The year before 446 county residents called the service, according to Bell.

Anyone looking for resources locally also can call Bell at (306) 501-1228. Community members are needed for the tobacco coalition. The group meets the second Wednesday of the month from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the health department, 1952 Ninth Ave., Longview.

"We're just trying to get the message out that tobacco use in general is a real cause of death," Bell said. "A lot of people see heart disease or multiple cancers or chronic lung disease listed as the cause of death but it's the tobacco use that's the real cause."

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TDN Bad Boy wrote on Sep 18, 2008 7:42 AM:

" This is excellent news for those of who support the public smoking ban. Business owners should note the statement by state officials that the majority of smokers are low-income people without an education. Now if I owned a bar, restaurant or other type of service industry business, these are not the clients I would be banking on for success. People who have the money and know how to use it are not wasting it on smoking. Those people will tend to spend more in your establishments. "

Longview 88 wrote on Sep 18, 2008 9:16 AM:

" Here is one thing that encourages smoking in this area....I have encountered people (customers and employees) that light up cigarettes inside businesses and linger before leaving, and people that smoke in the doorways. I have begun reporting the offenders as I see them, as I am tired of breathing the smoke. The owners of these businesses need to understand the law even if it takes getting fined to do so. "

~:sturgeon:~ wrote on Sep 18, 2008 9:57 AM:

" "our state's commitment to tobacco prevention is making a big diffrence" I disagree. The BIG diffrence is when a person finally decides for there own reason (s) that they no longer want to be a smoker. If anyone would have told me at the time I began smoking (25) that brain receptors were going to be permantly altered , I would not have began smoking. Also if you were to liquify the contents of 1 cig and put it into a rig, you would be dead befor the plunger was all the way pushed. The use of knowledge is power. "

seriously wrote on Sep 18, 2008 10:46 AM:

" It's no wonder the majority of smokers is low-income. A pack of cigarettes averages about $4.50-$5.00. If you're smoking a pack a day, that's $31.50 a week or $1638 a year! Way to piss away your money. What makes me the most upset is the women who smoke while they're pregnant. How could any kind of mother expose her child to that? Makes me sick! "

Cheney119 wrote on Sep 18, 2008 11:27 AM:

" The county also ranks first in teen pregnancy, asthma and rickets; makes you proud to live in Cowlitz Cowlitz. "

ANOTION wrote on Sep 18, 2008 11:33 AM:

" .....population control. Let em' smoke. "

DUH wrote on Sep 18, 2008 11:39 AM:

" seriously... You think that people are low income because they smoke? What they spend on cigarettes has nothing to do with how much money they make. If they didn't smoke, would they be in a higher income bracket? No. They just wouldn't be spending money on cigarettes. "

Cheney119 wrote on Sep 18, 2008 11:53 AM:

" TDN Bad Boy don't you want the government off our back? Aren't these private businesses? Shouldn't they be able to operate their business as they choose. Republicans like you talk a good game but you don't smoke and you want the government on their backs. You sir show zero intellectual consistency. Where would you be if good liberals here in Washington weren't protecting you from secondhand smoke? Why don't you give democrats some credit when it is due? Would republicans ever initated anti-smoking legislation? No, they are in the pocket of business and ALWAYS support the status quo. "

Thought wrote on Sep 18, 2008 12:28 PM:

" Obama smokes so if I'm a smoker I should vote for him?? Strange what some use to make a decision on. Me I'll vote for the only qualified person.. "McCain". Cheney I already told you my vote voids yours...Nuff said. "

TDN bad boy wrote on Sep 18, 2008 1:32 PM:

" Cheney, we've been through this before. No these are not private businesses. When they applied for a state business license they agreed to abide by the laws of the State of Washington. This is a law and it has nothing to do with Liberals or Conservatives. This was total democracy in action. Do you think only Liberals voted for this law? It has nothing to do with the Demoncrats in Olympia. This has nothing to do with the government taking rights way. It wasn't passed by the government. It was a voter initiative because the Liberals in Olympia were too afraid to act like leaders. So this had to go to a vote of the people. If the Liberals in Olympia want to claim this, then why did it have to go to a vote? Why didn't they just pass it. It was in the Legislature but no, the Liberals opted to ignore it. Da Tax Queen had no problem raising state spending $8 billion in four years. They could have passed the ban too but they didn't. And, the Liberals wanted no part of backing this initiative. It wasn't backed by Republicans either. It was a bi-partisan effort of the people, by the people, for the people. Personally I think we would be much better if we just did away with our Legislature and passed all laws like that. I certainly would favor that over a Liberal-Controlled Communist State that we've had for the past 20 yesars. "

seriously wrote on Sep 18, 2008 1:35 PM:

" Duh, what I meant is that I don't understand how some low-income people can barely afford the basic necessities in life yet somehow they can afford cigarettes. I didn't intend for my earlier comment to insinuate that if they quit they would be in a higher income bracket. I just think that all the money they spend on cigarettes could be used for something more worthwhile. "

El Fuego wrote on Sep 18, 2008 3:16 PM:

" Can I be humorous for just a second?
The Cowlitz Indians are going to have a POW WOW shortly. If the event is not on a indian reservation, can they still smoke their peace pipe, or will that be against the law? After all, tradition is tradition. I say let them smoke and the rest of you mind your own business. "

Rosey Glasses wrote on Sep 18, 2008 5:10 PM:

" If I open a business... it is MINE... not joe public! But Washington says they can tell me how to run it, what I can allow and not allow... there-fore if I open a business it will not be here! I wish that government and joe public would quit telling everyone else what they can and cannot do! nuff said. :P~~~~ "

tazer baby wrote on Sep 18, 2008 5:29 PM:

" Man, just a few more smokers and we could take state this year. Maybe a lettermans jacket could be arranged. "

Hauskapoika wrote on Sep 18, 2008 6:25 PM:

" Who knows why people blow their money on frivolous things? Smoking is just one. Here's just a few - I'm sure you can add more: Eating out instead of at home, going to a movie instead of renting one, drinking booze every day or drinking until they are blasted and getting sick from it, driving their cars like maniacs and wasting fuel,gambling, blowing a couple grand on big screen TV's when their current one is perfectly good, or getting a mortgage bigger than they can afford. See how many other ways you can add that people waste their money. "

Cheney119 wrote on Sep 18, 2008 8:20 PM:

" Liberal-Controlled Communist State? I said intellectual consistency, not paranoid delusion. Since when did the 24 years of democratic Washington governors take over the means of production? 24 years of liberal paradise here in Washington State, I'll bet we make it 28 in November. Smoke that! "

bucketball wrote on Sep 19, 2008 1:24 AM:

" TDN Bad Boy, do you ever say anything giving it a little bit of thought first? Nothing you ever say really ever makes any sense or has any substance, kinda like your candidate John McCain. Are you saying because you apply for a business licence your no longer a private business? Do you all really think only low income people smoke? "

bert wrote on Sep 19, 2008 9:48 AM:

" I think it we should just ban cigarette sales and smoking within the boards of the State of Washington. Smokers are in the minority. Only 16.5%. With the state population, according to the US Census Bureau, of 6,468,424 there are only 1,067,290 smokers. Estimating a low of one pack a day the state only collects cigarette taxes on 389,560,850 packs a year. With our current cigarette tax of $2.025 that only adds $788,860,670 a year to our coffers. Not to mention, 389,560,850 packs at an average of $4.50 per pack is lost sales of $1,753,023,800 on which the state collects an additional sales tax of 6.5% or $113,946,500. We can just add the additional $902 million revenue loss to the already projected shortfall of $530 million the state is predicting. But look on the bright side, I can then go to Portland Costco and buy cigarettes for $2.799 a pack. Since nicotine addiction has been shown to be stronger then cocaine or heroine, I will then be able to sell the cigarettes from Portland for $10, $15 or $20 a pack. Wah hoo, I am going to be rich. But I will do the patriotic thing, according to the Democratic Candidates, and pay my taxes as long as they don't come after my guns and religion. "

Rosey Glasses wrote on Sep 19, 2008 1:30 PM:

" LOL bert! You would clean house... just like all them pot dealers they keep catching... right? LMAO "

bert wrote on Sep 19, 2008 1:51 PM:

" Rosey Glasses: I wish they would put an imitative like that on the ballot. I would vote for it. My dog would vote for it. My dead grandmother would vote for it. "

bert wrote on Sep 19, 2008 2:05 PM:

" Rosey Glasses: That is right after I have them proof read my postings. "

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