Burlington, Vermont -- November 17, 2011
More Vermont smokers are kicking the habit.
According to a 2010 survey conducted by the Vermont Health Department, 76,000 adults smoke in Vermont. That's about 15 percent of the population, slightly lower than the national average. It's down from 17 percent in 2009, but short of the department's target of 11 percent.
The results were released to coincide with Thursday's 36th anniversary of the Great American Smokeout, a day when many smokers nationwide attempt to quit.
Officials estimate smoking kills 850 people a year in Vermont and it costs the health care system $233 million. The health department says that in any given year, more than half of Vermont smokers make at least one serious attempt to quit.
Yvonne Zietlow is with the Vermont Health Department and works for the Tobacco Control Program. She appeared on the Channel 3 News at 6 p.m. to talk about smoking and kicking the habit in Vermont. Watch the video for more.
For more on Vermont's quit smoking resources, you can call the Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit VtQuitNetwork.org.
