NYC Sees Big Drop in Smoking Deaths Since Ban

Significant decreases in both the total number of smokers and the incidence of smoking-related deaths in New York City have occurred since an aggressive anti-smoking campaign has been in effect, Reuters reported Oct. 28.

Deaths from smoking-related deaths fell from 8,700 in 2002 to about 7,200 in 2009, about 17 percent, according to the city health department. In addition, City Health Commissioner Thomas Farley reported that the total number of adult smokers in the city has declined by about 350,000.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg instituted a ban on smoking in city bars and restaurants in 2003, and now wants to expand the prohibition to parks, beaches and other outdoor gathering places.

About 80,000 of the individuals who have quit smoking during this period were assisted by receiving free nicotine patches and gum from the city. In addition, the health department attributes some of the decline in smoking to widely distributed advertisements featuring graphic images depicting smoking's harms.