Is it just me or are there fewer smokers in NM than back East? (Albuquerque: professionals, law)

[kpl1228]

Something I noticed. Not a pro or con debate, just wondering. Occasionally I'll see New Mexico people smoking outside of an office building or outside of a bar, but nothing like the Midwest or East where everyone in those environments seemed to be lighting up. (Ohio, for example, has a no smoking law for indoor buildings but it doesn't seem to stop Ohioans from smoking elsewhere in their state, just as much as they did before.) And the amount of cigarette butts in, say, parking lots, is no comparison to east of NM where it is a pretty bad litter issue in urban areas in other states.

Not sure if this is a "healthy Western thing," or what it is. Just something I noticed. And it seems to be statewide. Rural towns included, as well as ABQ and Santa Fe, etc. And on the reservations and in the little Mormon towns, I know of no one (though I'm sure some do it).

Any one got reasons as to why? Or maybe I'm wrong and not looking in the right (or wrong) places in NM?

[funkymonkey]

Looks like NM is about 10% higher than the national average, even more so compared to neighboring states.
Percent of Adults Who Smoke | The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

[funkymonkey]

It does seem to me that the amount of smokers in NM has gone down quite a bit in the past 10-15 years.

[Zoidberg]

If you visit the "red state" parts of the state, there are substantially more smokers, though even there you're seeing a downtick as the old ones die off.

There are a lot of professionals in Albuquerque that are closet smokers (you'd never know).

[ABQConvict]

Ohio > New Mexico > New York

From my observation. With Ohio/Kentucky leading the pack (no pun intended) by a mile.

[Poncho_NM]

New Mexico > Is it just me or are there fewer smokers in NM than back East?

It is just you...

About 19.1% of Adults in New Mexico smoke. It puts New Mexico at number 22 as far smoking, (21 States have a higher percentage of smokers...

I smoked for a long time, quit in New Mexico a few years back.

Some statistics: Percent of Adults Who Smoke | The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

[Cactus Hibs]

Originally Posted by Poncho_NM

New Mexico > Is it just me or are there fewer smokers in NM than back East?

It is just you...

About 19.1% of Adults in New Mexico smoke. It puts New Mexico at number 22 as far smoking, (21 States have a higher percentage of smokers...

I smoked for a long time, quit in New Mexico a few years back.

Some statistics: Percent of Adults Who Smoke | The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

Interesting statistics. For what it's worth, ABQConvict, Ohio and Kentucky both have more smokers than NM (Kentucky a lot more: it's #2 among US states) and NY is way down the list.

[aries63]

The population here is less dense, therefore the discarded cigarette butts are, too.

[WestGuest]

Kentucky has a lots of tobacco growing and a culture more accepting of cigarettes.

Smoking has declined everywhere so yes NM also has less smokers.

[professor gimp]

I also guess it has something to do with altitude. ABQ and parts north are at high elevations so I would think anything that makes it harder to breath will be frowned upon.