Mass. "Smokes" Smoking

The adult smoking rate among adults in Massachusetts decreased 8% in 2007 from its 2006 rate. 16.4% of Mass. adults smoked in 2007, compared to 27.8% in 1986. Studies suggest that health concerns and mandatory health insurance (including state-funded help with quitting) were the largest factors in effecting the decrease. Smoking rates also decreased among teens, from 20.5% in 2006 to 17.7% in 2007. Congrats to those who've succeeded in quitting.