Percentage of adult Arizonans who smoke dips to 15.3 percent

PHOENIX (AP) - The percentage of adult Arizonans who smoke continues to drop.

The Arizona Department of Health Services says the percentage of smokers as of 2014 was at an all-time low of 15.3 percent. That’s down a percentage point from the rate in 2013.

Tobacco prevention and cessation programs head Courtney Ward says the decrease continues a trend. She says factors behind that trend include an ongoing anti-tobacco media campaign and a 2007 tobacco tax increase approved by voters.

Ward says the percentage of adult Arizonans who smoke topped out above 20 percent in the 1990s but the department says it’ll be a challenge to cut the rate further because remaining smokers are solidly entrenched in their addiction.

The department is hosting a summit on tobacco topics Tuesday and Wednesday in Phoenix.