New York's war on tobacco produces record fall in smoking

A large increase in the tax on cigarettes and a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants are being credited with contributing to an 11% decline in the number of adult smokers in New York city from 2002 to 2003—one of the steepest short term declines ever measured, according to surveys commissioned by the city.

The surveys show that the number of regular smokers, after holding steady for a decade, dropped by more than 100 000 over the period. It is estimated that 19.3% of adults in New York now smoke, down from 21.6%. …