Oklahoma Smoking Facts

Facts about Smoking
The following information was obtained from the state of Oklahoma’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), which is an ongoing state-based telephone survey that collects data on the major behavioral risks associated with premature morbidity and mortality among adults (27). There are no publicized data of this kind at present for the Cherokee Nation.

Tobacco use and obesity are among the highest risk factors for cancer and according to the chart in Figure 6, Oklahomans participate in more cancer risk behaviors than the overall US population. According to the chart, Oklahomans’ daily intake of five fruits and vegetables is lower. They have less leisure time for physical activity. Obesity rates are higher and the smoking rate is higher than the US population.
The chart in Figure 7 show the prevalence of current smoking by gender in Oklahoma compared to the US population. In this figure we can see that Oklahomans participated in smoking habits more than the US population for both men and women. Oklahoma was also ranked 9th worst for lung cancer of all the United States.
  Figure 7
has a higher smoking rate than the US rates for all ages, according to the chart on the following page (Figure 8). It also shows that smokers come in all age groups, with the biggest majority of them starting at age 18 and continuing steadily as the age increases. It then begins to drop off at age 55. This could be due to many factors, including lung cancers being diagnosed around this age group.

Figure 8

Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan
