Recently emerged government figures display that only 14% of the American population last year were smokers, an improvement from the 16% observed in the year before. With 42% of the population being smokers in the early 1960s, the U.S. has dramatically reduced the size of the smoking population.
“Everything is pointed in the right direction,” – K. Michael Cummings, Tobacco Researcher
Despite these positive results, there are still over 30 million smokers in the U.S. Though they make up a small minority of the population, this is still an immense number of smokers.
Vaping on the Rise with Teens
A new low in percentage of teen smokers has been achieved as well, with only 9% of high school students using cigarettes. Although they are not using tobacco products, this doesn’t mean they are nicotine-free. E-cigarettes and other vaping devices are used by approximately 13% of high schoolers, while only 3% of the adult population uses these smoking alternatives. These concerning results could confirm the assertion made by many that these “safe” products are introducing nicotine addiction to people in a new way. Nonetheless, a reduced number of teens smoking cigarettes is a sign that the anti-tobacco campaigns have been having a positive impact on America’s youth.
Congratulation to all former smokers & those who never started. In US, #cigarette smoking reaches new 13.9% low! Almost half of rate in the Netherlands. That is a lot more healthy days for living. https://t.co/kytTed3YuU via @YahooNews
— Dr. Ali Khan (@UNMC_DrKhan) June 19, 2018
