DES MOINES - Tobacco use continues to go out of style in Iowa.

Gov. Chet Culver said Wednesday a new report indicates smoking in Iowa has declined by 22 percent since 2006 - one of the most significant drops posted in any state in recent years.

Preliminary survey data from the state Department of Public Health indicates that about 79,000 fewer adult Iowans smoke cigarettes now than two years ago.

Department director Tom Newton said 57 percent of former smokers cited health as their reason for quitting. Also, 54 percent of current smokers said they wanted to quit for health reasons, while 19 percent indicated smoking was becoming too expensive of a habit.

Culver and state lawmakers increased the state's cigarette tax to $1.36 per pack in March 2007 and followed that up with smoke-free workplace legislation that session that banned or restricted smoking in most public places in Iowa.

Peggy Huppert of the American Cancer Society's Iowa office said the drop in the number of smokers "is proof that our policies are working" to make Iowa a cleaner and healthier state.

"We know that if we make it more expensive and more difficult to smoke and then we also give people the tools to help them quit, they will quit because 70 percent of smokers want to quit," she said. "Iowa's gone from being one of the worst states on tobacco control to being one of the best in the passage of 15 months."

Newton said he was very encouraged by decline in the number of Iowa smokers, but he noted the still spends an estimated $1 billion each year in smoking-related health care costs.

To help Iowans who make New Year's resolutions to try to quit smoking, Newton said his agency this month is providing twice the amount of free nicotine patches and gum available through Quitline Iowa, the state's helpline for quitting tobacco use.

Iowans who call (800) 784-8669 by Jan. 31 can get a four-week supply of nicotine replacement therapy gum and patches, he said. After Jan. 31, two-week supplies will be available.

"Among current smokers, our survey tells us that as many as 84 percent want to quit smoking," Newton said. "One of the most effective ways to help people end their addiction to tobacco is to provide counseling services and quit aids, such as nicotine patches and gum. This is the time of year Iowans need the most support and Quitline is here to help."