According to the survey, commissioned by the city health department, the number of regular smokers declined from 21.6 percent, or more than 100,000, to 19.3 percent of adults. The drop was seen in all boroughs and among all age and ethnic groups.

In addition, the survey found a 13-percent decrease in cigarette consumption, signifying that smokers who haven't quit may be smoking less.

"From what we've seen, we believe New York City experienced the steepest decline anywhere in one year," said Dr. Thomas Frieden, the city health commissioner.

City health officials credited the decline to higher tobacco taxes -- which increased from 8 cents a pack in the city to $1.50 -- as well as a New York City law prohibiting smoking in bars and a new state law banning smoking in restaurants and bars.

The city has also been promoting various anti-smoking campaigns, including the distribution of thousands of free nicotine patches.

"New York did the perfect trifecta that no one has attempted before -- raising taxes very steeply, making it harder to smoke indoors, and promoting cessation, so you would expect a dramatic result," said Dr. Steven Schroeder, a professor of health and health care at the University of California at San Francisco. "Most cities and states aren't doing much of anything."

The study was based on telephone surveys conducted by Baruch College researchers.

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