The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: This presentation will describe trends in tobacco use behaviors and policies in the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, as presented in a chart book on these topics. The presentation will provide both information on trends as well as ideas on ways to present such information.

Methods: The chart book compiled tobacco use data from several US surveys, including the 1992/93 – 2003 Tobacco Use Supplements of the Current Population Survey, 2002/2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, and Youth Tobacco Surveys. State-specific data on tax rates, tax-generated revenues, cigarette prices, smoke-free air laws, minors' access laws, tobacco control funding, and cessation services were also compiled, as were data on the health and economic costs of tobacco use.

Results: From 1992/93 to 2003, adult smoking prevalence in the United States declined from 24.5% to 18.9%. Prevalence declined in all states for persons aged 30 years and older, but increased in 9 states for 18-29 year olds. In 2003, 34% of smokers and 83% of nonsmokers lived in smoke-free homes; 67% of smokers and 79% of nonsmokers worked in smoke-free environments. Five states now ban smoking in private worksites, restaurants, and bars. Since January 2002, 42 states increased their cigarette excise tax at least once. Total state revenues from tobacco settlements and excise taxes increased from US$16.4 billion in 2000 to US$21.3 billion in 2006, while funding for tobacco control declined from US$672 million to US$551 million.