While smoking and tobacco use has been on the decline nationwide, and in the state of Georgia in recent years, Northwest Georgia continues to maintain a high rate of adult smokers.  According to U.S. News & World Report’s “Healthiest Communities 2022” numbers, every county in the region has a smoking rate of over 20% of the adult population, with Chattooga County having the highest rate in the region.

According to the statistics, the smoking rate in the United States is 12.5% – or 13 out of 100 adults.  In Georgia, that jumps to 16.3%.  While every Northwest Georgia county has smoking rates of more than 20% of adults, Chattooga County has a whopping 27% adult smoking rate.

The American Lung Association is urging people to take the initiative to give up smoking in 2023.  For many people quitting smoking is a journey – not a one time event.  Statistics show most people “quit” 8-10 times before giving up for good.

This can be your year to quit smoking. Start by finding helpful information at smokefree.gov.

U.S. News & World Report / CDC