I have recently heard that Missouri ranks #3 in the number of smokers. This doesn't seem right. Can you tell me the truth about smoking in Missouri?

According the best estimates Missouri ranks number 3 in the percentage of adults who say they smoke. These data come from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System conducted by the Centers for Disease Control. According to their survey in 2000, Kentucky (31% of adults smoke) and Nevada (29% of adults smoke) are ranked 1st and 2nd followed by Missouri at 27%.

Here is a chart that shows the trend in regards to the percentage of adults who smoke in Missouri: http://missourifamilies.org/report/trends/smoking.htm. You will note that Missouri is well above the average compared to the United States as a whole. The trend line also indicates there has been little decline in the number of smokers during the past decade.

Robert Hughes, Jr., Ph.D., Human Development & Family Studies, College of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia