The 1998 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
revealed that 19.1% of New Jersey adults, aged 18 and older,
are current cigarette smokers. (The 1998 median for all
states was 22.9%.)
No single factor determines tobacco/smoking patterns. These
patterns are the result of complex interactions of multiple
factors, including, but not limited, to: community norms
and social acceptance of the use of tobacco, stress, biological
factors, targeted advertising, price of tobacco products,
ease of access to the product, and role model behaviors.
Additional 1998 BRFSS data revealed:
The age group 45 - 54 years had the highest percentage
of all adult age groups with 26.3% in NJ.
On average, 83% of those who smoke every day smoke between
1 and 20 cigarettes.
During the past 12 months, 52.6% of those who smoke every
day quit smoking for one day or longer.
