Massachusetts Daily Collegian
Statistics released by The Department of Public Health (DPH) this week show that the number of smokers in Massachusetts is decreasing. The results come from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a state-wide annual telephone survey that is conducted in order to monitor health issues within the state.
The results came from data gathered in a 2005 survey in which 8,900 Massachusetts residents over the age of 18 participated. Survey questions ranged from inquiring about everyday habits, such as eating, to chronic diseases.
“The Massachusetts BRFSS continues to be one of the key public health surveillance tools which helps us target resources to meet the needs of residents and improve the health of our citizens,” said DPH Commissioner Paul Cote Jr.
According to Cote, the survey sheds light on the health habits of Massachusetts’ citizens and is invaluable in assisting public health officials to determine which areas are in need of the most help.
However, this year’s survey delivers good news about tobacco use, which is the primary cause of preventable death in the country. Smoking rates among adults have dropped from 28 percent to 18 percent since 1986.
This is an improvement from last year’s reported 19 percent of adults who smoked. Overall, Massachusetts remains below the national average of 21 percent.
According to the Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Morbidity and Economic Costs study in 2000, nearly $12 million is lost in productivity per day because of smokers’ premature deaths. The results from this study also reveal that a total of 118,389 years of potential life, which averages out to 13 years per smoker, have been lost due to cigarette habits.
Knowledge about the negative effects tobacco use is widespread. Preventative programs, such as D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), have been implemented in schools to stop kids from smoking. Many measures have also been taken by the DPH to reach out to adult smokers who have fallen victim to the habit.
One example of help is the Smoke-Free Work Place law that Governor Romney signed in 2004. This law calls for employers to prohibit smoking inside any part of a workplace and calls for fines ranging from $100 to $300 for smoking, or permitting one to do so.
“This report demonstrates that we have made tremendous progress in lowering smoking rates in Massachusetts,” said DPH Associate Commissioner Sally Fogerty. “It also allows us to target our efforts to those groups and communities where smoking rates remain high as we work to reduce the numbers of smokers.”
According to Fogerty, geographical areas that have higher concentrations of smokers include Worcester, Springfield, Fall River and rural parts of southeastern and western Massachusetts.
The BRFSS survey results also reveal other health issues, including the increase in obesity. According to the survey, 20.7 percent of adults are obese; however, despite the rising average weight, Massachusetts is still the fifth leanest state in the country. Also, the binge drinking rate dropped to 16 percent from last year, when 17 percent of the population were heavy drinkers.