Smoking in U.S. declines sharply; cigarette sales at a 54-year low

MSNBC.com ^ | March 9, 2006 | Marc Kaufman

[southernnorthcarolina]

Americans smoked fewer cigarettes last year than at any time since 1951, and the nation's per capita consumption of tobacco fell to levels not seen since the early 1930s, the association of state attorneys general reported yesterday.

Using data the federal government gathers when it collects taxes on cigarette sales, the group found a 4.2 percent decline in 2005 alone and an overall drop of more than 20 percent since tobacco companies reached a legal settlement with the states in 1998.

-- snip --

Federal studies show that about 21.7 percent of high school students still smoke, as do 20.9 percent of adults — about 45 million Americans 18 and older. Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death, causing more than 400,000 deaths a year.

-- snip --

[southernnorthcarolina]

This is remarkable. Note that total cig sales -- not just the percentage of people smoking -- is the lowest since the Truman Administration.

[theDentist]

Good news! Cigars anyone???

[coconutt2000]

It is the cost... The choice between cigarettes and gasoline for the car became unbearable.

Dedicated smokers bought bus passes. The rest opted for gas to get to work.

[bobjam]

With so many states dependant on cigarrette taxes, they'll have to either raise other taxes or encourage people to smoke and pay taxes. "Smoking: bad for you but good for schools"

[cryptical]

Using data the federal government gathers when it collects taxes on cigarette sales, the group found a 4.2 percent decline in 2005 alone and an overall drop of more than 20 percent since tobacco companies reached a legal settlement with the states in 1998.

How distorted are those numbers by black market sales? New York tax stamp sales were way down last year after they raised the tax sky-high.

[billorites]

So whaddya want? A medal?

[kinghorse]

This cannot stand! MO scientists get cracking on that vitamin enriched cigarette!

[coconutt2000]

Have you tried the "420's" from Cuban Crafters (Florida based company)?

Excellent brand of milds with a pleasant, sweet flavor, and a bouquet that usually elicits oohs from non-cigar smokers.

I'm not that fond of the name since it implies pot, but the cigar is excellent and the gold wrapper/ring is elegant.

[tfecw]

I'd love to see how this poll was put together. Anyone know if they accounted for hand rolled ciggs, Indian ciggs, and foreign ciggs?

[the Real fifi]

I think these figures are wrong--they are based on tax revenues. I think about 20% of adults and approximately the same percentage of young people are still smoking.

[Rummyfan]

Must be because I quit last week......

[dhs12345]

So, you are saying that these bleeding hearts really want us to smoke after all? After all of the whining about the evils of tobacco, too. I am sooooo confused.

/sarc

[theDentist]

I haven't heard of them before ("420's implies pot???), but I'll give them a try next time I go a-shopping. Down to my last dozen Cohibas as it is.

[Jim Pelosi]

I have a feeling that a lot of people who now buy cigarettes on the Internet from the Indian reservations or on the black market has more to do with it than anything else. I myself just quit 5 months ago now. I've never felt better.

[SueRae]

It'll be 6 months for me next week. Hang in there!

[putupjob]

I wonder how much of this has gone black market due to the cost. Approaching $5 a pack in a lot of places.

[GSWarrior]

[Rummyfan]

Thanks for the encouragement!

[southernnorthcarolina]

I think these figures are wrong--they are based on tax revenues. I think about 20% of adults and approximately the same percentage of young people are still smoking.

So how are the figures wrong? The survey reports results very close to what you suggest. Back in the '50s and '60s, something like half -- or a bit more -- of U.S. adults smoked. The numbers are not just declining, they are collapsing, especially among higher income and better-educated people.

[newgeezer]

I think these figures are wrong ... I think about 20% of adults and approximately the same percentage of young people are still smoking.

Your numbers are in line with those in the article. So, which figures are "wrong"?