Tobacco Control Program
StatShot Vol. 5, No. 6/August 2012
Survey Method Changes Indicate 18.1% (2.7 Million) of New Yorkers
Smoke Cigarettes
Adult smoking prevalence is monitored using the New York State Behavioral Risk Factor
Surveillance System (BRFSS). Two changes were recently made to BRFSS methods that
affect smoking prevalence and other indicators, and are reported for the first time in 2011.
Data from individuals who live in households with only cell-phones were included and a new
weighting method was adopted. Weighting is the process by which survey data are adjusted
to ensure representativeness and proper coverage of the population, and maintain validity.
New weighting methods (called raking) take into account more socioeconomic variables and
are being applied to BRFSS nationally. As a result of these changes, prevalence estimates for
current cigarette smoking are higher than previously indicated, but likely more accurate.
The downward trend noted in smoking rates over the last few years appears to be unchanged
with the new methods, but the absolute value is higher. In 2011 the prevalence of smoking
among adults in New York State was 18.1%, equivalent to about 2.66 million adult smokers.
This is down from 21.1% (using the raked weight) in 2009, a 14% reduction.
Starting with 2011, only the new weighting methods will be used to report smoking
prevalence estimates. For more information on raking see
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6122a3.htm.
Trends in adult smoking prevalence using old and new weighting methods.
New York State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2001 – 2011.
50
Smoking Prevalence Percent
45
40
35
30
25
20
21.1
23.2
22.3
15
21.6
19.9
20.5
18.2
18.9
2006
2007
10
16.8
18.0
2008
2009
18.9
18.1
15.5
5
0
2001
2002
2003
2004
Old method
2005
2010
2011
New raked method
Source: New York State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2001 – 2011. Contact the Bureau of Chronic Disease Evaluation and
Research, New York State Department of Health at (518) 473-0673 or type ‘StatShot’ in the subject line of an e-mail and send it to
[email protected].