Maryland boasts one of the beat smoking rates among adults in the United States, playing a significant role in reducing smoking-related deaths caused by lung cancer. So BetMaryland took time out from rating the best sports betting app Maryland options to tackle the question of where the state ranks for tobacco usage and why its measures to curb smoking have worked.
In a state that strongly enforces smoke-free policies and consistently advocates for increased tobacco tax rates, tobacco use in Maryland has declined over the past two decades. And the number of residents who have never smoked continues to grow, according to the State’s Department of Health official website.
Through youth prevention efforts, partnerships with local health organizations and effective cessation support, Maryland actively encourages residents to embrace healthier lifestyles that will eventually lead to the reduction of smoking-related deaths.
Utah and California are the top two states with the lowest smoking rates. Maryland is tied with Hawaii for third and Massachusetts rounds out the top five.
But which other states make this list?
Using data from the CDC’s 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System CDC – 2021 BRFSS Survey Data and Documentation, BetMaryland ranked the states based on their percentage of adults who reported “smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smoke daily or some days.”
With an adult smoking rate of 10.1%, tied with Hawaii, Maryland outperforms the national average, which is 15.5%. According to Truth Initiative, Maryland’s tobacco tax rate is among the highest in the country.
The state’s cigarette tax is $3.75 per pack, compared to the national average of $1.91.
Maryland has also imposed comprehensive clean indoor air ordinances. The Old Line State restricts smoking in all government and private workplaces, casinos/gaming establishments – including Maryland sports betting locations – schools, childcare facilities, restaurants, bars, retail stores and recreational/cultural facilities.
To address the future of adult smokers, the state implements one of the most effective youth access laws in the country. Currently, the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and disposable products is prohibited, a measure not enforced in many states. Also, vending machines that dispense smoking devices are only allowed inside smoke shops that are inaccessible to underage people.
Maryland residents deservedly have a right to celebrate World No Tobacco Day, as they are one of the strongest contributors in the fight against tobacco use.
For the most up-to-date information on sports wagering in the state, or the latest Maryland sportsbook promos, stay with BetMaryland.
Author
Felix Veletanga is an experienced reporter who has covered local news, politics, and sports in Northern New Jersey, and now lends his expertise to the Maryland sports betting market. He previously covered the Saint Peter’s men’s basketball team’s 2022 NCAA Cinderella run for HudPost. Felix specializes in combat fighting and soccer betting analysis with a focus on the Premier League.
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