According to federal survey statistics released Thursday, cigarette smoking in the United States reached an all-time low last year, with one in every nine Americans reporting being a current smoker.
Meanwhile, the usage of electronic cigarettes has increased to almost one in every seventeen persons.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s preliminary findings are based on survey answers from more than 27,000 respondents.
Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke and has long been regarded as the most significant preventable cause of death.
In the mid-1960s, 42% of adult Americans smoked. For decades, the rate has steadily declined due to cigarette taxes, tobacco product price increases, smoking bans, and changes in the social acceptability of smoking in public.
The percentage of adult smokers fell to around 11% last year, down from over 12.5% in 2020 and 2021.
The survey results are sometimes altered after additional study, and the CDC is anticipated to reveal final 2021 data soon.
According to survey statistics, e-cigarette use increased to over 6% last year, up from approximately 4.5% the previous year.
Dr. Jonathan Samet, dean of the Colorado School of Public Health, is concerned about the surge in e-cigarette use. According to the American Heart Association, nicotine addiction has health consequences, including an increased risk of high blood pressure and artery narrowing.
“I believe that smoking will continue to decline, but it is unclear whether the prevalence of nicotine addiction will decrease, given the rise of electronic products.”
Teens’ smoking and vaping rates are about equal.
According to other CDC data, around 2% of high school students smoked traditional cigarettes last year, but approximately 14% used e-cigarettes.
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