Smoking declines continue among most groups

Smoking in Colorado is on the decline overall, but tobacco use for various minority groups persists, according to a survey by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The Attitudes and Behaviors Survey on Health, released last month, shows that smoking rates dropped from 19.1 percent in 2008 to 17.2 percent in 2012 for the overall Colorado population.  The data show both a decrease in the percentage of daily smokers and the number of cigarettes smoked.

In addition, Coloradans are opting to keep their cars and homes smoke-free as well, according to the survey, although low-income populations are less likely to…