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ALBANY -- Smoking rates among New York youth have reached their lowest mark in 20 years.
According to the state Health Department, 13.8 percent of teenagers smoke in the state, compared with the national rate of 20 percent in the most recent survey of high school students. Smoking among teens in the state has declined 58 percent since 1997, when 32.9 percent smoked.
While the rates continue to drop here, nationally they have leveled off at around 20 percent. Anti-smoking advocates cite three reasons for the state's success:
The high cigarette tax, now up to $2.75, which affects children with less discretionary money.
The state's 5-year-old Clean Indoor Air Act, which bans smoking from many public places, means children see fewer smokers.
A state-funded anti-smoking campaign that has been sustained for more than six years.
New York ranks second in the nation after Utah for its tough anti-smoking laws in a report card issued by the American Lung Association. The only factor that kept New York from claiming the top spot was its cigarette tax, which wasn't as high as 15 other states. But New York changed that last month when the tax was boosted by $1.25, making it the highest such tax in the nation. A pack now costs about $7.
The tax affects kids the most.
"They are very sensitive to cost increases, as the cost goes up they will decrease the amount that they smoke and it prevents them from becoming regular smokers," said Judy Rightmyer. "It will also prevent them from trying cigarettes."
Every 10 percent increase in the cigarette tax results in a 6 percent to 7 percent decrease in teen smoking rates, according to Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.
Five years ago, the state passed a law that bans smoking in bars and restaurants, expanding on a 1989 law that banned smoking in malls, movie theaters and offices.
"The social norm has shifted," Rightmyer said. "Kids don't see smoking as much."
The state spends $87.6 million annually on anti-smoking efforts, including a campaign aimed at teenagers called Reality Check.
"(Reality Check) looks at the way they are being manipulated and targeted and it really gets the kids infuriated," said Erin Brewer, of the Reality Check program in Albany and Schenectady.
More than 300 teenagers rallied in the Capital Region last week to ask convenience stores to take down smoking ads at children's eye level and encourage the movie industry to reduce the number of characters who smoke.
Some schools run smoking-cessation programs for teenagers and teens can call the state Quit Line at (866) NY-QUITS. Cathleen F. Crowley can be reached at 454-5348, or by e-mail at ccrowley@timesunion.com.
Help is near
The Center for Smoking Cessation at Seton Health in Troy runs a teen cessation program called "Wanna Quit." For more information, contact Victoria Keir at 268-6165. | 
