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US adult cigarette smoking rate hits another all-time low
The decline reflects decades of tobacco taxes, smoking bans and public education campaigns, while e-cigarette use held at about 7%, officials said.
CDC survey data released this week shows the U.S. adult smoking rate fell to 9%, or 1 in 11 adults, marking an all-time low.
Smoking rates have plummeted from 42% in the mid-1960s, driven by cigarette taxes, price hikes, public smoking bans, and changing social norms regarding tobacco use.
Preliminary CDC findings rely on responses from more than 24,200 adults, with current smokers defined as having smoked at least 100 cigarettes; electronic cigarette use held steady at about 7%.
Yolonda Richardson, president and chief executive of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, credited the decline but warned that President Donald Trump's administration cuts to the CDC's Tips campaign hindered prevention efforts.
Richardson cited estimates that the Tips campaign helped more than 1 million Americans quit smoking and saved over $7.3 billion in healthcare costs, work she urged must be restored.