On Monday, New York released data as per which smoking levels across the state have dropped to a historic low.

The report unveiled that in the past four years, smoking rate among high school students has dropped 42% and now the rate stands at 7.2%. Current adult smoking rate is 14.5% and the national average is 17.8%.

Gov. Cuomo said the report findings suggest that New York people are opting for healthier lifestyle. The drop in smoking rate has come at a time when smoking is on rise in the city after a hiatus. In 2013, the city's smoking rate was 16%, which was more from a low of 14% in 2010. More than one million people in the city were smokers.

Experts said the decline has come owing to New York's nation-high tobacco taxes. Other factors that have helped are anti-smoking ads, laws and programs. Lately, the state Department of Health has announced that it has received federal grants of more than $10 million for its anti-smoking efforts.

"This is a huge accomplishment in which we should all take pride, but our work is not done. We must stay vigilant", said state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker.

On the other hand, anti-smoking groups have praised the decline and have also said that a lot more needs to be done, especially with the increase in e-cigarette usage. Bill Sherman, of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, called for activation of a bill that requires ban of e-cigarettes as well in public places.