Key facts
- The adult cigarette smoking rate in the U.S. fell to 9% last year, an all-time low.
- This rate is a significant decrease from 42% in the mid-1960s.
- The decline is attributed to factors including cigarette taxes, price hikes, smoking bans, and public education.
- An advocate stated that cuts made by the Trump administration to the CDC's Office on Smoking and Health and its 'Tips from Former Smokers' campaign hindered prevention efforts.
The continued decline in cigarette smoking rates represents a significant public health achievement, potentially leading to substantial savings in healthcare costs. However, concerns have been raised about the impact of past administrative decisions on ongoing prevention efforts, highlighting the delicate balance between public health initiatives and government policy.