In the United States, smokers are lighting up less than ever.
Gallup reports that since the 1970s, cigarette smokers that smoke more than a pack a day have steadily decreased, reaching their lowest point yet measured. This all-time low coincides with this year's tie with 2009 for lowest cigarette usage among American adults;
Gallup reports that one in five lit up in the past week. To anti-smoking advocates looking forward, these surveys represent success with struggles on the horizon; the study underscores the fact that most smokers know the negative effects of tobacco use, decreasing the usefulness of media campaigns that highlight the negative effects of smoking. This in turn makes recommendations concerning tobacco control programs being brought to
CDC-recommended levels require further analysis. The question remains as to whether spending more money to bring states into compliance would bring a significant impact on tobacco usage or not.
A recent post on the Economist’s Graphic Detail blog includes a global map of cigarette smokers in 2010, as reported by the American Cancer Society and World Lung Foundation. According to the post, cigarette consumption decreased in Western Europe by 26% from 1990 to 2010 but increased by 57% in the Middle East and Africa over the same time period. Also worth noting is the large disparity between the percentage of males and females that smoke which, according to the post, is largest in China, where 50% of men smoke but only 2% of women smoke.
