Ohio ranks second highest in nation in number of smokers

Ohio ranks second highest in nation in number of smokers

Associated Press

DAYTON, Ohio

A new study shows that more than one in four Ohioans smoke cigarettes — one of the highest rates in the nation.

The Dayton Daily News reports (http://bit.ly/sd02DP ) that about 26 percent of Ohioans smoked cigarettes in 2011, tying the rates of Missouri, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas for second highest in the nation.

Kentucky was the only state with a higher smoking rate, with 29 percent of residents lighting up.

The information comes from a recent study by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.

Ohio is the only state with a comprehensive smoking ban and a rate above 25 percent.

Officials with the Ohio Health Department say their own survey found that 22.5 percent of Ohioans smoked in 2010. They say smoking is a huge health concern and the percent of smokers in the state is not decreasing.