Number of smokers in New York reaches record low
Official figures released earlier this week have indicated 35 percent of adult smokers living in New York have stopped smoking since 2002.
It is thought the 450,000 smokers that have kicked the habit have been encouraged to do so after numerous anti-smoking campaigns, an increase in tax on tobacco and bans on smoking in public places were implemented across the city.
According to the Health Department, the remaining 850,000 smokers in New York is equal to just 14 out of every 100 people and is the lowest rate of smoking the city has ever seen.
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The figures also revealed that between 2009 and 2010 alone, 100,000 adult New Yorkers gave up smoking, while between 2001 and 2009 nine percent of teenagers quit too.
New York is apparently the most expensive place to be a smoker in America, after two tax increases, one of 38 percent and one of 58 percent were introduced in the city in 2002 and 2010 respectively.
Meanwhile, the graphic anti-smoking ad campaigns featured stories of people whose health had been affecting by smoking and cancer-ridden organs.
The mayor of New York and ex-smoker Michael Bloomberg, commented: “Smoking is the leading cause of preventable, premature death in New York City and the nation today and we're proud that a record number of New Yorkers are saving their own lives by quitting."