Reports

Smoking down 20 percent in Alaska (AK)
A 2007 survey by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services has revealed that smoking among adults has decreased to 21% of the population. The state’s efforts to decrease tobacco use have included school programs, grants, anti-tobacco countermarketing, and cigarette tax increases. Additionally, communities have instituted tobacco-free policies at workplaces and hospitals. Smoking among women and adults has decreased; however, smoking rates remain high among Alaskan Natives, those in rural areas, and low-income non-Native adults. While smoking among Alaskan Native youths has dropped, Native youths are still two and a half times more likely to smoke than their non-Native counterparts. Click here to find out more.

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International

Health campaigners target mosques in bid to reduce smoking among Muslims (UK)
Health groups plan to work with mosques during Ramadan to attempt to decrease the high smoking rate among ethnic minorities in Wales. During Ramadan, which falls in September this year, Muslims undergo a month of fasting, and are prohibited from smoking during daylight hours. Thus, Ramadan is a prime time to raise awareness about smoking and offer support to those who are interested in quitting. Public health agencies will also work with community leaders of other minority groups that have particularly high smoking rates. Read more here.

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