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Chiayi County officials concerned about smokers

Chiayi County public health officials warned yesterday that a growing number of young people are smoking and called for widespread public efforts to build a 100 percent smoke-free environment in public places.

Citing the results of a telephone survey, the officials said that 20.8 percent of county residents are smokers -- a level lower than the national average of 22.6 percent.

The 18 to 19 age group accounts for the largest ratio of Chiayi smokers, about 24.9 percent, followed by 19.7 percent in the 50 to 64 age group and 19.3 percent in the 30 to 39 age group, they said.

Men and women account for 53 percent and 47 percent of smokers respectively, they said.

In terms of educational levels, smokers with an elementary education or less make up 41 percent of the total, ahead of 28 percent of senior high school graduates.

The public places where people are most often disturbed by second-hand smoke are streets (30.6 percent), restaurants (19.1 percent), bus stops and train stations (15.4 percent), markets (11.5 percent) and parks (8.3 percent).

The officials urged the public to cooperate with authorities in helping build a 100 percent smoke-free environment indoors and out.
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