The Great American Smoke Out took place last Thursday, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to update everyone on the smoking rate in the U.S.
According to a report recently published by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the number of adult smokers in the United States has remained constant since 2004. Given all of the education and advocacy efforts that have taken place over the past few years, this is a disturbing trend.
Based on the CDC's numbers, 20.8% of US adults smoked in 2006, compared to the 20.9% who were smoking in 2004 and 2005, data that suggests a marked slowdown from the steady declines seen in previous years.
So who’s still smoking?
The CDC analyzed data from the 2006 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a questionnaire that evaluated the smoking habits of 24,275 adults 18 and older. Of the group, 20.8% currently smoked. Slightly more men (23.9%) than women (18.0%) are smokers. Only 10.4% of Asians surveyed still smoked, followed by Hispanics (15.2%), non-Hispanic whites (21.9%), non-Hispanic blacks (23%), and American Indians/Alaskan Natives (32.4%). And among those individuals who identified themselves as smokders, 44.2% had made an effort to stop smoking in the last 12 months.
Why isn’t the rate of smoking declining?
There are likely several reasons for the standstill in smoking rates. The authors of the study point to the 20.3% decrease in funding for comprehensive state-sponsored smoking cessation and prevention programs from 2002 to 2006. On top of that, many states have re-allocated funds previously devoted to tobacco control, says Thomas J. Glynn, Ph.D., director of the American Cancer Society's Cancer Science and Trends and International Tobacco programs.
Also to blame: tobacco companies have offset the burden of cigarette price increases by offering coupons, two-for-one deals, and other incentives to smokers, retailers, and wholesalers. Approximately 81% of tobacco-industry marketing efforts were related to discounting strategies, according to the report.
Call to Action
The American Cancer Society is calling for tighter regulations on cigarettes, from increasing workplace laws and cigarette tax increases to granting the Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate tobacco products. But we as a population must also take a harder stand against smoking. If you have a close friend or relative who’s a smoker do what you can to encourage them to quit. And be supportive - whether it's their first time or tenth time trying to quit. The important thing is that they stop smoking.
Jason – a Lumen
