Adult smoking in Massachusetts drops to historic low

That's great news. I've been off cigarettes for just a little over 9 years after smoking for nearly 15. Best thing I ever did....and my family would agree with me as well!

"The decline in smoking shows that our investment in tobacco control and prevention activities is paying dividends."

Not necessarily.

It's also possible that fewer people are admitting they're smokers, now that we have compulsory health insurance in Massachusetts.

No, more people are just buying thier cigs in New Hampshire and not telling the commonwealth

H"Historic low?" That can't be true. Presumably at one point no one smoked in Massachusetts before cigarettes were introduced.

Screw their "tobacco control and prevention activities." I would love to smoke, if I could afford cigarettes.

No it shows that people are buying their smokes in NH or RI to avoid the high taxes...

THIS IS TOTALLY INCORRECT. PEOPLE ARE AWARE THE FSC (FIRE SAFETY CIGARETTES) THAT MASS. HAS DEMANDED BE SOLD ARE DANGEROUS AND ARE CAUSING HUGE HEALTH PROBLEMS. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE BUYING THEM OUT OF MASS.

You really thinking smoking in mass went down 8 percent in one year? Give me a break, something is not right.

You Fools, I was at an unnamed Native American reservation and every other license plate was from taxachusetts. Guess what they were buying Sal????Hmmmm helping Democrats balance a budget that THEY OVERSPENT or buying cigs at 80% off, you make the call. Better luck stealing money from the people next time Sal.

"tobacco control and prevention activities." - You mean punishment, right?? We know it's bad for us...that's why it's known as 'bad' habbit. The only difference now is that we'll end up with cancer AND no money.

I feel compelled to mention that smoking rates are not tied to where you buy the cigarettes. Mass residents can buy them anywhere they like, but they are still counted in the state smoking rate

I believe that the cost associated with the purchase of a pack of cigarettes has more of and effect on the poll than does the investment in tobacco control and prevention activities.
The end result is less revenue (taxes) for the state.

There may be concentrations of die-hard smokers but overall, I have seen fewer and fewer people smoking in Massachusetts. Sure, those who smoke may purchase their cigarettes out of state but by no means does the majority of the population smoke. Also, in response to the poster who based his conclusion on those who go to the casinos in Connecticut: it's a very small percentage of the overall population who go to the casinos and more than likely, it's my hypothesis that those who gamble are probably more likely to smoke. At any rate, I attribute the decline in smoking to two factors: one, we have the most educated populace in the nation and studies show that education levels and smoking are inversely related; and two, the laws against smoking in pretty much any building just make it a nuisance. Many smokers I know just don't bother any more. Smoking no longer looks cool and sophisticated, which I suppose has always been a key incentive to start up.

I don't often agree with government solutions to problems, but in this case, I'm all for the state taxing cigarettes to the hilt. Cigarettes are a lethal drug, not only to those who smoke, but to those around them. They also increase the costs of health care in general, even for people who don't smoke.