July 31, 2018: Sixteen percent of American adults have smoked a cigarette in the past week. Gallup reports that’s the lowest level ever recorded. From the 1940s to the 1970s, roughly 40 percent of Americans smoked cigarettes. The figure fell below 30 percent for the first time in 1989. It dropped below 20 percent for the first time in 2013.[1]
At the same time, the number who believe smoking should be banned entirely in the United States has risen to 25 percent.[2]
During the 20th century, younger adults were more likely to smoke than their elders. However, that has changed in recent years. Now, adults aged 50-64 are more likely smokers than any other age group. Twenty-four percent of them smoke compared to 15 percent of adults under 30.
Footnotes:
- Gallup, "In U.S., Smoking Rate Hits New Low at 16%," July 24, 2018
- Gallup, "One in Four Americans Support Total Smoking Ban," July 23, 2018
Each weekday, Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day explores interesting and newsworthy topics at the intersection of culture, politics, and technology. Columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.
Scott Rasmussen is founder and president of the Rasmussen Media Group. He is the author of "Mad as Hell: How the Tea Party Movement Is Fundamentally Remaking Our Two-Party System," "In Search of Self-Governance," and "The People’s Money: How Voters Will Balance the Budget and Eliminate the Federal Debt." Read more reports from Scott Rasmussen — Click Here Now.
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