Historic Low for Cigarette Smoking in the US

Cigarette smoking among U.S. adults has reached an unprecedented low, with only 11% reporting they smoked in the past week, according to a recent Gallup survey. This finding, part of Gallup's annual Consumption Habits poll conducted in July, marks a significant decline from 41% in 1944, the year Gallup first began tracking smoking trends. The peak smoking rate was recorded in 1954, when 45% of respondents admitted to smoking. The decline in smoking rates is attributed to changing perceptions about the health risks associated with cigarettes. The latest survey indicates that 79% of Americans now view cigarettes as "very harmful," a stark contrast to the late 1980s when smoking rates were still more than three times higher than today. Gallup suggests that ongoing educational efforts by medical experts regarding the dangers of smoking have played a crucial role in this decline. Young adults are driving the shift away from traditional cigarette smoking, with many opting for e-cigarettes instead. Data from 2022-2024 reveals that 18% of adults aged 18 to 29 vape, significantly outpacing the number who smoke cigarettes. Gallup notes that this generation has diverged from historical trends, favoring vaping over smoking. While vaping is considered to present fewer health risks than traditional smoking, public health officials continue to advocate against both practices, emphasizing the importance of reducing tobacco use among all age groups.