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Data: Adult smoking rate in Arizona drops to 14 percent

Posted at 7:15 AM, Sep 28, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-28 10:15:58-04

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that the adult smoking rate in Arizona has dropped to 14 percent.

That's down from more than 19 percent in 2011.

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services. The latest Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System report shows the decrease translates to more than 200,000 Arizonans who quit smoking over the last five years.

Smoking is a leading cause of death in the United States.

State officials say secondhand smoke also is harmful to family members who don't smoke, especially children. To help people quit smoking, the Department of Health Services operates the Arizona Smokers' Helpline.

The ASHLine offers free individual counseling to people who want to quit any tobacco product.