The Number of Smokers in the US Just Hit a New Low
The number of Americans who smoke cigarettes has hit a new low, dipping below 40 million for the first time since record-keeping began five decades ago. A CDC report found that the number of smokers dropped from 45.1 million in 2005 to 36.5 million in 2015, constituting 15 of Americans. Rates decreased more sharply among men from 24 to 16 than among women from 17 to 14, according to the New York Times. Twenty-five to 64-year-olds were more likely to smoke than those who were older or younger. Non-Hispanic blacks and whites were more likely to smoke than Hispanics. Those living below the poverty line were nearly twice as likely to smoke as others. NYT