Adults in Hennepin County are smoking less and eating more.

The county's 2010 health survey released Thursday found that 12 percent of adults smoke. That's down from 21 percent in 1998. It's also below the state's average of 16 percent and the national average of 20 percent.

The survey also found that more than

60% of the adults reported "never smoking."

18% of adults aged 18 to 24 smoke. That's way down from 37 percent in 1998.

But location matters.

24% of adults in north Minneapolis smoke, compared with

7% in the county's northwest outer-ring suburbs.

While smoking is down weight is up:

20% of the county's adults are obese, and another

33% are overweight.

The survey is conducted every four years and was mailed to thousands of randomly selected households last summer, asking more than 100 questions about health.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482