Charleston Ranked #1 for Highest Proportion of Smokers
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Posted: 2:25 PM Jun 19, 2010
Charleston Ranked #1 for Highest Proportion of Smokers
A national study says Charleston has the nation's highest proportion of smokers.
Reporter: The Associated Press
Email Address: news@wsaz.com
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- A national study says Charleston has the nation's highest proportion of smokers. Huntington ranks third.

Healthways, a well-being company based in Tennessee, says its list is based on data from the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.

Dr. Rahul Gupta of the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department says one of the reasons Charleston's smoking rate is so high is that West Virginia does not fund tobacco-cessation programs at the level recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Chuck Hamsher, director of public advocacy for the American Heart Association in West Virginia, says the CDC recommends West Virginia spend about $27 million annually on tobacco-cessation programs. The state allocates about $6 million.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Tom on Jun 22, 2010 at 01:50 PM

Hey!, no mention of the beautiful cancer stick trash all over the ground?
Posted by: Resident on Jun 21, 2010 at 11:28 AM

Hey at least we are first in something. Don't forget this county was founded on tobacco. It is a legal substance.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 20, 2010 at 01:51 AM

What list are we going to make next? Seems like we are on every list any idiot can make up. Our tax dollars at work for these universities that has nothing else to do, then to make up LISTS. Did we make the highest in people with attitudes, and outspoken ways too? These people better watch it, WVians will tell them what they can do with their Lists. too funny! And this made the news. wow. People want to smoke, let them, who are we to stop them? Who would want to deal with all these people who will be pressured to quit? a LOT of angry people, with nicotine fits. Smoke away people, I wont stand in your way.
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