Synopsis for October 20, 2006

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EST.

1. Tobacco Use among Adults – United States, 2005
2. State Specific Prevalence of Current Cigarette Smoking among Adults and Secondhand Smoke Rules and Policies in Homes and Workplaces – United States,
3. Brief Report: Update: Mumps Activity – United States, 2005

Tobacco Use among Adults – United States, 2005

The national health objective for 2010 of reducing current smoking rates among adults to 12 percent or less is unlikely. Analyses of National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data indicate that the 8-year decline in U.S. adult smoking rates may have stalled. Between 2004 and 2005, there was no observed change in U.S. adult smoking rates. In 2005, 20.9 percent—45.1 million people—in the United States were current smokers. The most effective way to reduce tobacco use is through sustained and fully implemented comprehensive tobacco control programs that address both initiation and cessation at the state and community level.

State Specific Prevalence of Current Cigarette Smoking among Adults and Secondhand Smoke Rules and Policies in Homes and Workplaces – United States,

In addition to implementing evidence-based strategies that increase tobacco use cessation and decrease initiation of tobacco use, continued action is needed to protect the health of the public from the known hazards of secondhand smoke. Analyses of the 2005 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System data found that for the first time women in Puerto Rico met the Healthy People 2010 national health objective of reducing smoking prevalence to 12 percent or less. In 2005, Utah and the U.S. Virgin Islands; women in Utah, California, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and men in the U.S. Virgin Islands continued to meet the national health objective as they did in 2004. Overall, adult smoking prevalence varied considerably across 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (range: 8.3 percent to 28.7 percent). In addition, CDC reports significant variation among the proportion of adults protected by smoke-free workplace policies (range: 54.8 percent to 85.8 percent) and the proportion of adults who protect themselves and their families from secondhand smoke in the home (range: 63.6 percent to 82.9 percent).

Brief Report: Update: Mumps Activity – United States, 2005

Low levels of mumps activity are continuing and physicians should remain alert for suspected cases of mumps cases and conduct appropriate laboratory testing. Every opportunity should be used to ensure adequate immunity, particularly in the high risk populations (e.g., health care workers and college students). In 2006, there was increased mumps activity nationwide. From January 1 to October 7, 45 states and District of Colombia reported 5791 cases of mumps to the CDC. Over 80 percent of the cases were reported from six states (Iowa, Kansas, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota). Of these cases, the median age was 22 years and 63 percent were females. The cases of mumps peaked during the last two weeks of April with reported cases decreasing during May-September. However, since August, when students began returning to school, mumps clusters in single college/university campuses have been reported in 3 states. To ensure high levels of immunity, every opportunity should be used to provide the first or second dose of MMR to those without evidence of adequate immunity (as defined by the ACIP statement). One strategy is to offer MMR vaccine in conjunction with the flu vaccine in clinics being planned for the upcoming influenza season.

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This page last reviewed November 9, 2006

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