There are two broad approaches to reducing the adult prevalence of smoking.
The first is to lower the rate of smoking initiation among youth. Mississippi has experienced substantial success in this area. The initiation rate among middle school students had decreased by 52% and decreased among high school students by 37% since 1998.
The second is to increase cessation among current smokers. This can be accomplished through cessation programs and through policy.
Cessation:
The Office of Tobacco Control offers both healthcare system-based and population-based interventions that provide services to the individual tobacco user, which include the following:
- ACT Center
The ACT Center for Tobacco Treatment, Education and Research provides free face-to-face tobacco treatment to Mississippi residents interested in quitting. Eligible participants receive nicotine replacement therapies and prescription medications. The ACT Center is located in Jackson, MS with several satellite tobacco treatment clinics throughout the state. - Mississippi Tobacco Quitline: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
The Mississippi Tobacco Quitline provides free telephone-based tobacco treatment to Mississippi residents interested in quitting. Nicotine replacement therapies are available to eligible participants.
Policy:
Across the United States, state tobacco control policies have improved substantially over the past 13 years. Since 1998, the average state cigarette tax has increased from 39 cents to $1.45. During this time period, many states and communities have also passed smoke-free laws. Currently, 22 states and the District of Columbia have passed comprensive smoke-laws (smoking is not allowed in any indoor public place or worksite), and 47.5% of the U.S. population lives in a community or state with a comprehensive smoke-free law.
However, policy changes in Mississippi have been slower. Although Mississippi recently raised the state cigarette tax from 18 cents to 68 cents, 35 states and the District of Columbia have a higher tax rate and the current state tax falls well below the national average. Mississippi has also been slower to pass smoke-free policies. There is not currently a comprehensive smoke-free law in this state. However, 35 communities, accounting for 20% of the population in Mississippi have passed local comprensive smoke-free ordinances.
Summary
The smoking rate among US adults has decreased slowly and steadily since 2002 (BRFSS data). Although youth smoking rates in Mississippi have also declined during this time period, there have been no decreases in the smoking rate among Mississippi adults. It is not possible to state conclusively why Mississippi had not experienced a decline in adult smoking rates when the rates are dropping in the U.S.. However, the disparities in the state cigarette tax and smoke-free legislation are likely partially responsible.
