| Cigarette smoking explained a high proportion of cancer deaths in all states, but this proportion was highest in several southern states, notably Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Louisiana.
New research shows cigarettes contribute to more than 1 in 4 cancer deaths in the U.S.
The rate is highest among men in southern states where smoking is more common and tobacco control policies are less strict.
The American Cancer Society study found the highest rate among men in Arkansas, where 40 percent of cancer deaths were linked to cigarette smoking. Kentucky had the highest rate among women - 29 percent.
The lowest rates were in Utah, where 22 percent of cancer deaths in men and 11 percent in women were linked with smoking.
The researchers analyzed 2014 health surveys and government data. They estimated how many cancer deaths were likely attributable to smoking, and compared that with deaths from all cancers.
Results were published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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