More good news on the anti-smoking front strikes closer to home, as the latest statistics reveal that adult smoking rates in New York fell to a record low of just 14 percent in 2010, compared to 22 percent in 2002. The declining trend was also present among high school students, since only 7 percent were smokers last year as opposed to 18 percent in 2001. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was particularly delighted by the news, since much of his time in office has been spent battling smoking, which includes passing a monumental law in 2002 that banned indoor smoking from bars, restaurants, and offices throughout the city.
Also elated by the downward trend in smoking rates was ACSH's Dr. Elizabeth Whelan, who said that the 14 percent smoking rate is phenomenal. She adds, A year ago, I was amazed when the rate was at 18 percent can you imagine how great it is to hear that it's dropped even further?
Though we often criticize New York City health officials for enacting senseless and intrusive legislation, such as the ban on trans fats, we do applaud Mayor Bloomberg and other public health experts whose policies have contributed to the continued decline in smoking rates.