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Index: Health / Subcategory: Alcohol Tobacco & Other Drugs

Adult Tobacco Use

Date Posted: 11/05/2009

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According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, approximately 4,400 Coloradoans die each year from tobacco use. Research has shown that smoking is the leading risk factor for heart disease, which happens to be the leading cause of death in the United States. Evidence also suggests that exposure to secondhand smoke can result in adverse health effects, including heart disease in nonsmoking adults.

In 1998, Colorado joined 45 other states in settling lawsuits against the nation's major tobacco companies to recover tobacco-related health care costs. In 2008, Colorado received $103.6 million in Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) funding as a result of this lawsuit. However, as of 2005, MSA dollars are no longer used to fund tobacco prevention and cessation programs. Those dollars are now being used to fill budget shortfalls and on unrelated programs.

According to a November 2008 report published by Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, 'the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that Colorado spend $54.4 million a year to have an effective, comprehensive tobacco prevention program. Colorado currently receives $27.5 million a year for tobacco prevention and cessation, which includes both state and federal funds. This is 50.6% of the CDC's recommendation and ranks Colorado 9th among the states in the funding of tobacco prevention programs. Colorado's spending on tobacco prevention amounts to 8.6% of the estimated $318 million in tobacco-generated revenue the state collects each year from settlement payments and tobacco taxes.' In the past 10 years, states have spent only 3.2% ($6.5 billion) of their tobacco settlement money on tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

Although Colorado is ranked 9th in the nation on funding for tobacco prevention programs, it received a 'D' grade for the amount spent on such programs, according to the American Lung Association's annual report, State of Tobacco Control. Per this same report, Colorado received an 'A' for passing laws that restrict smoking in public places; a 'D' for the low excise tax on cigarettes (84 cents per pack); and an 'F' for cessation programs.

The following data are collected and reported by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The Colorado Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is an ongoing statewide telephone survey designed to monitor the prevalence of health behaviors and preventive health practices associated with the leading causes of disease, disability, and premature death. The number of surveys completed each year is relatively low. For this reason, two years of data are combined to produce more stable estimates.

What this chart shows: Current Smokers in Colorado & Larimer County, 2003-04 to 2007-08

Current Smokers in Colorado & Larimer County, 2003-04 to 2007-08

Data Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment-COHID- Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

See data table

What these data tell us:

Survey respondents were asked "Do you currently smoke cigarettes?" In general, Larimer County has a lower percentage of smokers than does the State. Larimer County has also seen a greater reduction in the number of smokers between 2003-04 and 2007-08. The State of Colorado saw a 13.5% decline during this time period, whereas the County's rate declined by 30%.

Fort Collins' Smoking Ordinance, approved in 2002, prohibits smoking in city buildings, public places, places of employment, and within 20 feet of the entrance to any smoke-free establishment. The City of Loveland passed a similar ordinance in 2006.

Secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, 50 of which are known to be cancer-causing. In Colorado, a state-wide ban on smoking in public places went into effect on July 1, 2006.

In 2007-08, Larimer County nearly reached the Healthy People 2010 Objective of reducing the number of adult smokers to 12% or less.

What this chart shows: Current Smokers by Gender in Larimer County, 2003-04 to 2007-08

Current Smokers by Gender in Larimer County, 2003-04 to 2007-08

Data Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment- Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

See data table

What these data tell us:

Men in Larimer County are more likely to be smokers than are women, although the gap has been steadily narrowing.

Fort Collins' Smoking Ordinance, approved in 2002, prohibits smoking in city buildings, public places, places of employment, and within 20 feet of the entrance to any smoke-free establishment. The City of Loveland passed a similar ordinance in 2006.

Secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, 50 of which are known to be cancer-causing. In Colorado, a state-wide ban on smoking in public places went into effect on July 1, 2006.

Additional Information:

On Compass -

Outside Compass -

Standards or Targets:

Healthy People 2010 Objectives:

27-1 Reduce tobacco use by adults to 12%.
27-13 Establish laws on smoke-free indoor air that prohibit smoking or limit it to separately ventilated areas in public places and worksites.
27-21 Increase the average Federal and State tax on tobacco products to $2 per pack.

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Data Tables:

Current Smokers - Colorado & Larimer County

Larimer County

Colorado

Total surveyed

Percentage who smoke

Total surveyed

Percentage who smoke

2003-04

 528 17.2% 9,972 18.5%

2005-06

 775 15.4% 11,927 17.3%

2007-08

 1,493 12.1% 23,335 16.0%

See chart

Gender Differences- Larimer County Current Smokers

Females

Males

Total surveyed

Percentage who smoke

Total surveyed

Percentage who smoke

2003-04

 315 15.1% 213 21.0%

2005-06

 469 16.4% 306 21.4%

2007-08

 899 13.1% 594 13.9%

See chart