Ind. ranks 2nd in CDC’s national smoking survey

The results of a recent smoking survey released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention took a hit in the state of Indiana.

According to media sources around Indiana, the results of the study showed the first increase in the national smoking rate in 15 years.

However, the CDC said the data was misleading and rejected these reports, saying the increase in percentage was too small to qualify as an actual rise in the number of smokers.

The results of their study showed two facts – the national smoking rate is stalled at 20.6 percent and Indiana ranks second in the country for number of smokers.
Although the national smoking rate did not increase, some organizations are still dissatisfied.

Tracy Ingraham, a health communications specialist in the CDC’s Office of Smoking and Health, said the office was disappointed by the results.

“The rates have stalled, which is also not what we want,” Ingraham said. “We’d like to see the rate decrease.”

The CDC sponsors a number of smoking prevention and cessation programs in an effort to lower the national smoking rate.

In addition to these efforts, the organization also supports state programs and education agencies.

State-level agencies are also frustrated by the results but are not surprised with Indiana’s rank. 

“We know that there are three things that can reduce tobacco prevalence in a state,” said Debi Hudson, the program manager at Clarian Tobacco Control Center. “Indiana is behind in all three.”

Hudson said states with the lowest tobacco usage generally have tobacco prevention and cessation programs funded at the CDC’s recommendations, a tobacco tax of two or more dollars and statewide laws prohibiting smoking in public areas.

Hudson said he believes Indiana can decrease its number of smokers by following these steps, especially by establishing new smoking legislation.

“We have no state policy, and local policies are very spotty,” Hudson said. “We don’t have a good political climate for tobacco control laws in Indiana.”

The Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program agreed with Hudson’s viewpoint, which is why they are currently supporting local smoke-free legislation.
Anita Gaillard, the director of community programs with ITPC, said she hopes Indiana will follow other states that have had success in decreasing smoking rates.

“The biggest thing Indiana can do is to continue to pass comprehensive smoke-free laws at the local level until eventually we get to the point where we can pass a comprehensive statewide law,” Gaillard said. “They have had them introduced, but they haven’t passed yet.”