Maybe it's the message about the aging effects of smoking or maybe its the targeted campaign of Mayor Bloomberg - but smoking among women in New York is on the decline. 

According to figures published last month from the city's Department of Health the number of women over 18 who smoke has dropped sharply since 2002. The Health Department's figures only go up to 2005 unfortunately but so far show the percentage of female smokers dropping from 20% to 16% over the three year period.

Even better news for the future - only a quarter of all new smokers in the city were women. Signs at last that young women may be waking up to the dangers of smoking on their health AND on their looks in later life.

It's probably not a coincidence that the city has been actively targeting smokers over the last few years. Taxes on cigarettes were increased; a smoking ban was introduced in bars and restaurants and nicotine patches were given out to help people quit smoking.

Understandably, the officials at the Department of Health are claiming the figures as a great step forward - women taking charge of their health. No doubt that's true. But maybe some of those women also had a desire to look younger for as long as possible and a growing awareness of how smoking would age their skin.

Whatever their reasons - well done the women of New York and let's hope the message spreads!