Smoking is Down

Heavy smoking is decreasing dramatically in the United States, according to the research of John Pierce PhD, in (JAMA) Journal of the American Medical Association.

The percentage of adults who smoke a pack or more per day declined from 23.2% in 1965 to 7.6% in 2007. The decline is attributed to lower initiation rate among young people.

California leads with rates of 2.6% reported for this period. California's tobacco control legislation, aggressive cigarette tax, higher than average cigarette prices, its well funded tobacco control program, and restrictive smoking bans are responsible.

Less smoking equals more savings for Medicare and Medicaid. On average, smokers incur $2,800 in extra medical expenses over a five-year period versus non-smokers, with larger costs over time. Quitting results in an average savings of $1,860 per person.*

The following link is a hummingbird Nest Cam in Orange County, California. It really has nothing to do with the above, except for this stretch: California’s high emissions and clean air standards protect air quality for these little birds, and all else who breathe.

http://www.ustream.tv/hummingbirdnestcam

*CAMPAIGN for TOBACCO-FREE Kids, MEDICAID AND MEDICARE COSTS & SAVINGS FROM COVERING TOBACCO CESSATION (Based on Porposals in Senate Bill S. 854 and House Bill H.R. 3676),page 4.