illin': Gothamist Health

Last week, we posted that the smoking rate in the City has fallen about 20% in the past five years. Well, it seems that a large drop in smoking among Hispanic men has played a large part in that trend. The Daily News reports today that smoking in this demographic fell from about 25% to 17% between 2005 and 2006 with a large amount of credit going to Ronaldo Martinez. Mr Martinez starred in a graphic ad campaign which featured the 39-year-old, the hole in his neck, and the electrolarynx he's used to speak since losing his own voicebox to throat cancer. The ads have apparently scared some people out of the habit. The campaign, in addition to higher cigarette taxes and prohibiting smoking in public places, is part of the City's on-going battle against cigarettes. 17.5% of New Yorkers currently smoke.
If you plan on having heart problems, New York may be the place to be.
News of a virgin birth - in sharks !
Maybe there is a cure for the common cold.
Fun for kids: Calculate your carbon inprint!
There may be a bright side to morning sickness.
Newsflash! What women hate most about that time of the month: pain.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Kapil Desai in News on June 25, 2007 3:56 PM

Comments [rss]

Tim N.

Funny, I always thought the rest of the country hated us because we were stronger, smarter, and if I do say so myself, significantly better-looking (at least thinner!!!) than the rest of the country.

Another gutless guest/Internet tough guy...

guest

The irony of course being that how many New Yorkers make a living investment banking and lawyering for "evil" companies like Philip Moris and McDonald's etc. One degree of seperation is enough for a bunch of wealthy elitist liberals. This city sucks. No wonder so much of America hates New York.

guest

My mom worked as a pharmacist in a hospital and would tell me about the people who died from smoking and what a horrible and painful way it is to die. That was enough for me - never smoked a cigarette in my life.

schmod

I used to work for a company that supplied oxygen cylinders and electrolarynxes.

It was enough to scare me out of ever smoking... eck.

guest

I hate those fucking commercials ! In the beginning they were cool, After seeing them over and over again they tend to become to much . The story is the same but the sheer graphic nature of the content was a little to much .

guest

Seems to me that more and more young people are smoking every day. Maybe it's that it all takes place outside now, but I can't walk down the street without some 20something blowing smoke in my face.

guest

You go Ronaldo Martinez!!!! Shake your "can't swim cause I got a hole in my throat and nothing will ever be the same again" voice box ass! You are mucho awesome!