US smoking rates at historic low
2 Min Read
Smoking rates in the United States continue to plummet as cigarette use drops but vape usage continues rising each year.
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In this Dec. 2, 2020, file photo, a man holds a lit cigarette while smoking in San Francisco (AP)
Recent data released by Gallup in their July poll indicates that smoking rates among American adults have held steady at historically low levels, with only 12% of adults reporting cigarette use. This figure is merely 1% higher than the record low reported last year, signifying a continuing downward trend in tobacco consumption.
The decline in cigarette use, according to the pollster, reflects a significant shift in societal attitudes towards smoking. The report highlights that "Cigarettes continue to fall out of favor with Americans, as only about one in eight US adults now smoke them."
This is a remarkable departure from the early days of Gallup's polling in 1944 when the percentage of Americans who smoked cigarettes was a staggering 41%. The numbers peaked at 45% a decade later and have since witnessed a consistent decline over the years.
The steady decline in smoking rates over the decades can be attributed to a combination of factors. Increased awareness about the adverse health effects of smoking has been a major catalyst in encouraging individuals to kick the habit. Additionally, the restrictions on smoking in public places have contributed to deterring people from picking up the habit in the first place or continuing with it.
The progress made in reducing smoking rates is also in part due to the rise of alternative forms of nicotine consumption, particularly vaping.
The survey found that 18% of young adults currently use e-cigarettes, a figure surpassing the 10% who still smoke traditional cigarettes.
The prevalence of vaping among young adults points to a changing landscape of nicotine consumption habits, which is gradually reshaping the tobacco industry.
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When compared to cigarette and e-cigarette use, the poll also revealed an even higher percentage of young adults engaging in marijuana consumption.
The survey indicated that an average of 27% of individuals aged 18 to 29 reported using marijuana, outpacing both traditional cigarette and e-cigarette use.
