Smokers at record lows in New York City

Queens Courier wrote about the decrease in New York City smokers over the last ten years and included Senator Gianaris' comments.

More New Yorkers than ever have put out their last cigarette.

The number of New York City smokers has reached all-time lows, officials recently announced. In the past decade nearly half a million New Yorkers have put out their cigarettes, with 100,000 smokers quitting between 2009 and 2010. Smoking is down 35 percent throughout the city over the past eight years.

“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,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Approximately 7,200 New Yorkers die from smoking-related illnesses each year – which equals more than 19 every day. The mayor estimated that the decrease in smokers will prevent 50,000 premature deaths. Smoking-related deaths fell 12 percent between 2004 and 2009.

“There is no question that addiction to cigarettes is a main source of poor health and premature death,” said Senator Michael Gianaris. “It is promising to see so many are learning to conquer this bad habit so they can live longer and be more prosperous.”

Read the full article here.