Before New York City’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg quit the Grand Old Party, he quit smoking. After reading today’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, let’s hope that he shows more mercy towards the Republicans than he has towards Joe Camel.

In the report, the Center for Disease Control states that the number of smokers in New York City has decreased 19% since 2002, or by about 240,000 people. Only 17.5% of New Yorkers currently smoke. The year 2002 is important because Mayor Bloomberg raised cigarette taxes from $1.19 to $3 a pack. In March 2003, he made New York the first major east coast city to ban smoking in all workplaces, including restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. Last year, he personally paid $125 million for an anti-smoking ad campaign that the average New Yorker saw 110 times, according to the CDC.

I believe the most significant part of the report is that smoking among young adults (18-24 years) has dropped 34.9%. Only 11.2% of young New Yorkers smoke. That’s less than half the national average of 23%.

Decline in Smoking Prevalence --- New York City, 2002--2006 (CDC.gov)