Smoking Rate in Sonoma County is Still High
- Author Donna Martin
- Published February 2, 2011
- Word count 508
Sonoma County has the highest smoking rate in the Bay Area, according to a study released this week by the California Tobacco Control Program.
More than 16 percent of county residents smoke cheap cigarettes, more than twice the rate of neighboring Marin County, which had the lowest proportion of smokers in the state — 7.3 percent.
The results took some local experts by surprise. Sonoma County has lately been making waves as an anti-smoking locale with cities such as Sebastopol passing tight restrictions on smoking discount cigarettes, even in apartments. Santa Rosa is being asked to follow suit.
Pam Granger, North Coast tobacco program manager for the American Lung Association, said she knows that the more rural counties such as Sonoma tend to have higher smoking rates. But she said she was surprised that Sonoma had a higher rate than a comparable Bay Area county such as Solano, where the survey shows 14.6 percent of residents smoke.
"We apparently need to do a better job at selling our message than big tobacco is doing at encouraging young people to start smoking and existing smokers to continue," said Granger, who lives and works in Sonoma County.
The results — which were delayed by state budget woes — were based on a 2008 telephone survey of 40,000 people across the state, including nearly 730 residents of Sonoma County. The data show that California continues to enjoy a steady decline in smoking cheap cigarettes that are well ahead of the nation as a whole.
In 1988, for example, nearly 23 percent of state residents smoked, the report indicates. In 2008, 13.3 percent did. The current national rate is 21 percent.
It was the first time that the state survey zeroed in on Sonoma County's smoking rates. The last California Tobacco Survey in 2005 included the county in a region stretching to the Oregon border.
"This is the first time we have actually done this very detailed look at the numbers" said Colleen Stevens of the California
Department of Health Services. She said the information should prompt areas to examine how they can attack the problem.
Smoking continues to be strongly correlated with gender, education, and income — 15.6 percent of men in California smoked in 2008, compared to 10.7 percent of women. Only 5.9 percent of college graduates smoked compared to 12 to 15 percent for those with less than a college education.
And 7.8 percent of households with an income of $150,000 or more smoked compared to 19.8 percent of households with an income lower than $20,000, the reports shows.
Considering those factors, it may not be surprising that affluent, educated Marin County has the lowest rate in the state. But Marin also has been active in funding anti-smoking education and treatment programs to help people quit, said Beth Lillard, director of cessation services for the San Rafael-based non-profit Bay Area Community Resources, which contracts with Marin County.
The county allows her to go to places where the smokers are, including substance-treatment facilities. Marin's smokers may be waning, but there are still many of them in need of help, she said.
Marketing Manager
World Technology Network
2013 H Street, NY, 10001, USA 559-4812
http://www.cigs4girls.com/
Cigs4girls.com is a Discount Cigarettes News with a vast source of information and articles related to smokers world.
Visit http://www.cigs4girls.com/
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- The Transformative Power of Yamaigel’s Certified Gel Eye Masks
- Checking account with cell phone protection!
- Keeping Cool This Summer: Air Conditioning Installation Services in Milwaukee
- A DIY Guide to Fixing Your Garage Door (with a Call to Garage Door Magnolia When All Else Fails!)
- Can a Bent Garage Door Be Bent Back into Shape? Don't Panic, Call Kiki Garage Door!
- How Can I Tell If My Garage Door Opener Sensor Is Bad?
- Maximizing Profitability: The Economics Behind Customizable Design Assets
- Exploring the Hidden Gems of Si Racha, Thailand
- DIY vs. Professional Movers: Pros and Cons in 2024
- MK Web Celebrates Top Position in Bourne's Premier Web Design Rankings
- The Road to Sobriety: Understanding Substance Use Disorders
- MotorKote Ultimate 40/60 Synthetic Hyper Mix 5W-30
- Exploring Denver on a Dime: A Frugal Travel Guide
- Top 10 Ways Production Scheduling in Business Central Transforms Manufacturing
- Strength Training and it's Incredible Benefits for Fat Burning
- Enhancing Home Security with Aluminum Shutters: A Focus on Weatherwell Elite
- 5 Easy Ways to Make Oral Hygiene Fun for the Whole Family
- Transforming Plastic Extrusion Machines into Recycling Powerhouses
- Unraveling the Potential of Plastic Extrusion Machines
- The Rise of Plastic Recycling Machines: A Step Towards Sustainability
- Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream: OMG! Unreal!
- The Advantages of Using Professional Home Cleaners in Ilford
- 8 Compelling Reasons to Hire Professional Home Cleaners
- The 12 Steps Narcotics Anonymous Program To Recovery
- Send Money to Tanzania: Effortless Transfers with SafariRemit
- Stylish Savings: 10 Frugal Ways to Stay Fashionable in 2024
- Fly Cheap With FlightPapa To Any City
- How Collaborating with a Software Development Company Can Propel Your Business Forward
- A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Best Hair Transplant Method
- 15 Frugal Tips for a Memorable Wedding Day