State-Specific Prevalence of Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults—United States, 2002

January 9, 2004 / Vol. 52 / No. 53

MMWR Highlights

• In 2002, adult current smoking prevalence varied considerably among the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. For the states and the District of Columbia, prevalence ranged from 12.7% (Utah) to 32.6% (Kentucky).
• Kentucky (32.6%), Alaska (29.4%), West Virginia (28.4%), Tennessee (27.8%), and Indiana (27.7%) had the highest prevalence of current smokers. Utah (12.7%), California (16.4%), Massachusetts (19.0%), New Jersey (19.1%), and Connecticut (19.5%) had the lowest prevalences.
• Prevalence of current smoking for the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam ranged from 9.5% to 32.1%. Prevalence was 9.5% in the Virgin Islands, 13.2% in Puerto Rico and 32.1% in Guam.
• There were significant gender differences in smoking prevalence for 21 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, with the rates being higher for men than for women. The median prevalence of cigarette smoking was 25.9% among men (range: 14.2% to 34.8%) and 20.9% among women (range: 11.3% to 30.5%).
• Kentucky had the highest prevalence for men (34.8%) and women (30.5 %). Utah had the lowest prevalence for men (14.2%) and women (11.3%).
• Among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, the median proportion of everyday smokers who tried to quit smoking in the past year was 52.0%, up from 45% in 1996, and ranged from 42.4% (Hawaii) to 66.2 % (Utah).
• Among 23 states surveyed, the median proportion of current smokers who had received advice to quit within the past year was 72.0% and ranged from 64.0% (Wisconsin) to 83.7% (Maine). Overall, the median proportion of current smokers who had received advice to quit in the past year did not vary significantly by age, race, or sex.