About 19% of adults smoke in this group of states, compared with about 13% of adults in other states. About 11% of adults under 25 in these states smoke, compared with less than 8% in other states. Smoking prevalence has been consistently higher than average among these 12 states since Truth Initiative’s first report on the topic five years ago. The latest report from Truth Initiative, published last week, also shows that people in these 12 states who smoke tend to do so significantly more than smokers in other states. Life expectancy is about three years lower in the 12 states where smoking is more common than it is in the rest of the country, according to the new report – about 76 years compared with 79 years.

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Persons: Initiative’s, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, ”, Barbara Schillo, “, ” Schillo Organizations: CNN —, Truth, Tobacco, US Centers for Disease Control, CNN, CNN Health, Truth Initiative, “ Tobacco, ‘ Tobacco Locations: South, Midwest, United States, Alabama , Arkansas , Indiana , Kentucky, Louisiana , Michigan , Mississippi , Missouri , Ohio , Oklahoma , Tennessee, West Virginia