Smoking rate in USA continues to decline

The smoking rate among U.S. adults continues to inch downward; 20.9% of Americans described themselves as regular smokers last year. That is a decline from 21.6% in 2003 and 22.5% in 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday. The rate has fallen steadily since the late 1990s. Increased cigarette taxes, workplace smoking bans and state- based prevention efforts are the main reasons for the decline, said Corinne Husten, acting director of the CDC’s Of F ce on Smoking and Health. The results are based on a national survey of 31,326 adults. People were de F ned as current smokers if they had smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and said they still smoked on a daily or occasional basis.

Va. security 2rm hired for WTC site

A F rm that led security operations for the Athens Olympics has been hired to keep the World Trade Centers ite safe while it’s rebuilt. Science Applications International Corp. of Reston, Va., has an eight- month contract with the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. to develop a security plan for the redevelopment of the site, New York Gov. George Pataki’s of F ce announced. The amount of the contract is still being negotiated. Construction work began in September on the F rst major project, a $2 billion transit hub. Groundbreakings are planned for early next year for the 1,776- foot- tall Freedom Tower and the Trade Center’s memorial. More of F ce towers, a performing arts center, a museum and a cultural building also are planned.

5 more New Orleans police of 2 cers 2red

The New Orleans Police Department F red F ve more of F cers who were missing when Hurricane Katrina smashed into the city, bringing to 56 the number of employees who have lost their jobs for being absent without leave. Four other of F cers were suspended for an undisclosed period, police spokesman Marlon DeF llo said. The actions came as hearings continued for of F cers who were unaccounted for during the Aug. 29 storm. The hearings, which began Tuesday, will run for fourt o six months, acting superintendent Warren Riley said. Police were unable to account for 240 of F cers on the 1,450- member force following Katrina, but not all are believed to have deserted.

By Keith Bedford, Reuters