November 8: CDC Tobacco-Related MMWR

Current Cigarette Use Among Adults — United States, 2011

The report underscores the need to fully implement effective actions to successfully reduce smoking and all tobacco use.In 2011, an estimated 19.0 percent (43.8 million) of U.S. adults were current cigarette smokers. During 2005—2011, the proportion of U.S. adults who were current smokers declined from 20.9 percent to 19.0 percent. However, no significant change occurred between 2010 (19.3 percent) and 2011 (19.0 percent). Among adult daily smokers, the percent who smoke 30 or more cigarettes per day dropped from 12.6 percent in 2005 to 9.1 percent in 2011, and the percent who smoke 1–9 cigarettes per day increased from 16.4 percent to 22.0 percent during the same period. For the first time, the report includes data on smoking among persons with self-reported disabilities. In 2011, smoking was higher among those who reported having any disability (25.4 percent) compared to those who reported having no disability (17.3 percent). Although a slight overall decline in smoking has occurred among U.S. adults since 2005, the prevalence remains higher than the Healthy People 2020 target of less than or equal to 12 percent. A combination of smoke-free laws, tobacco price increases, access to proven quitting treatments and services, and hard-hitting media campaigns will reduce health care costs and save lives.

The online version of the journal will be available after noon (EST) on the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov/mmwr.

Links:  November 9 MMWR Issue; MMWR Highlights