New data released by the New Mexico Department of Health show the state鈥檚 rate of high schoolers smoking cigarettes is at an all-time low. And they鈥檙e using other tobacco products less often, too.
The state has had historically high rates of teen smoking. Ten years ago, a quarter of New Mexico high schoolers were using cigarettes. Now it鈥檚 down to 10 percent.
Sandra Adondakis leads the . She credits part of the positive change to banning smoking in places like restaurants over the years.
"There's a really good correlation between having smoke-free public places and reducing youth smoking," she said.
The state鈥檚 rate has started to mirror the national average over the . Right now it鈥檚 .
The rates of local high schoolers using other tobacco products like e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco and hookah pipes have all gone down, too.
If you鈥檙e a smoker and want help quitting, you can call 1-800-QUITNOW or go to .
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91暗网鈥檚 Public Health New Mexico project is funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the McCune Charitable Foundation, and the Con Alma Health Foundation.
