The AP has reported that cigarette smoking in New York state is at the lowest level ever. Citing a report from a research group (RTI), the article notes a decrease in cigarette use to 18.1% in 2004, down 2.7% from 2003. (Why it took ten months to compile the data is another mystery.)
While the numbers seem accurate for times when I have been outside of the city, it would be interesting to see numbers specific to the city. Anyone I know that quit (me and Mister Offender included) started again, mostly to keep our weight down. The banning of butts from clubs has resulted in some bars having a higher population outside than inside. Any stroll down the street still entails cautious bobbing and weaving to avoid getting burn-holes in one's fine washables.
So while some government lackeys pat themselves on the back for slowing down the scourge of smoking, we'll keep inhaling our little poisonous clouds. Not that we want to be smoking, but present us with an alternative that gives us something to do with our hands, talk to strangers more, and keep the weight down and we'll be sold.
