Study: Most U.S. Homes Ban Smoking

May 25, 09:43 AM

Current Headlines: Nearly three out of four U.S. households do not allow smoking anywhere in the home, at any time, according to a government study.

This study, published in the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, found the proportion of U.S. households with smoke-free home rules increased from 43 percent in 1992-1993 to 72 percent in 2003.

The proportion of households with smoke-free home rules increased in every state, but the proportion varied widely among the states.

Kentucky had the lowest and Utah had the highest proportion of households reporting smoke-free home rules for both reported periods. The proportion of Kentucky smoke-free homes increased from 26 percent to 53 percent and in Utah smoke-free homes increased from 70 percent to 89 percent, according to the study.

In the past decade, we've seen tremendous declines in secondhand smoke exposure in the workplace and public places, CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding said in a statement. Safe and proven quit methods are available, including state telephone quitlines, which are now in place in every state and can be accessed by dialing 1-800-QUIT-NOW.