Cigarette smoking has declined sharply in US: Here are the numbers, according to research
FILE-A patron at a bar holds a cigarette in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Chernin/Getty Images)
Cigarette smoking rates are falling substantially in the U.S. with researchers projecting that it may continue to drop more in the next 10 years.
Citing a study, Consumer Affairs noted that researchers at the University of California San Diego conducted a study based on data from 1.77 million respondents to the Tobacco Use Supplements to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey.
Young adults smoke cigarettes less than older Americans
By the numbers:
Researchers discovered in their study that cigarette smoking fell rapidly in the U.S., specifically among young Americans, with national rates projected to fall below 5% by 2035.
RELATED: Which states have the highest cigarette prices?
But adults over 50 years old are still slow, possibly furthering the burden of smoking-related diseases like lung cancer and heart disease.
The study noted that smoking rates nationwide plunged from almost 57% in 1955 to around 12.5% in 2022. Researchers project an additional 50% reduction by 2035 if smoking rates continue their current trend.
Some states see bigger declines in cigarette smoking
Local perspective:
States with historically high cigarette smoking rates, like Kentucky and West Virginia, have experienced the most significant declines since the 1990s. Meanwhile, states that led the way in cutting smoking rates have already begun to see declines in lung cancer deaths.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by Consumer Affairs, which cited data from a study by researchers at the University of California San Diego. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.