Cigarette Smoking

Cigarette smoking and related tobacco use are measured in several different data systems, including the

Birth File--Information on cigarette smoking of the mother during pregnancy is based on Yes/No responses to the birth certificate item:

"Other risk factors for this pregnancy: Tobacco use during pregnancy."

This information became available for the first time in 1989 with revision of the U.S. Standard Birth Certificate. In 1989, 43 States and the District of Columbia collected data on tobacco use. The following States did not require the reporting of tobacco use in the standard format on the birth certificate: California, Indiana, Louisiana, Nebraska, New York, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. In 1990 information on tobacco use became available from Louisiana and Nebraska, increasing the number of reporting States to 45 and the District of Columbia. In 1991�, with the addition of Oklahoma to the reporting area, information on tobacco use was available for 46 States and the District of Columbia; in 1994�, 46 States, the District of Columbia, and New York City reported tobacco use; in 1999 information on tobacco use became available from Indiana and New York, increasing the number of reporting States to 48 and the District of Columbia; starting in 2000, with the addition of South Dakota, the reporting area includes 49 States and the District of Columbia. During 1989�02 California did not require the reporting of tobacco use. The areas reporting tobacco use comprised 87 percent of U.S. births in 1999�02.

Monitoring the Future Survey--Information on current cigarette smoking is obtained for high school seniors (starting in 1975) and eighth and tenth graders (starting in 1991) based on the following question:

"How frequently have you smoked cigarettes during the past 30 days?

National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)--Information about cigarette smoking is obtained for adults 18 years of age and over. Starting in 1993 current smokers are identified based on the following two questions:

"Have you smoked at least 100 cigarettes in your entire life?" and

"Do you now smoke cigarettes every day, some days, or not at all?"

Persons who smoked 100 cigarettes and who now smoke every day or some days are defined as current smokers. Before 1992 current smokers were identified based on positive responses to the following two questions:
"Have you smoked 100 cigarettes in your entire life?" and
"Do you smoke now?" (traditional definition).

In 1992 the definition of current smoker in the NHIS was modified to specifically include persons who smoked on "some days." (revised definition). In 1992 cigarette smoking data were collected for a half-sample with half the respondents (one-quarter sample) using the traditional smoking questions and the other half of respondents (one-quarter sample) using the revised smoking question ("Do you smoke every day, some days, or not at all?"). An unpublished analysis of the 1992 traditional smoking measure revealed that the crude percent of current smokers 18 years of age and over remained the same as 1991. The statistics for 1992 combine data collected using the traditional and the revised questions.

In 1993-95 estimates of cigarette smoking prevalence were based on a half-sample. Smoking data were not collected in 1996. Starting in 1997 smoking data were collected in the sample adult questionnaire. For further information on survey methodology and sample sizes pertaining to the NHIS cigarette smoking data for data years 1965-92 and other sources of cigarette smoking data available from the National Center for Health Statistics, see Bibliographies and Data Sources, Smoking Data Guide.

National Survey On Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)--Information on current cigarette smoking is obtained for all persons surveyed who are 12 years of age and over based on the following question:

"During the past 30 days, have you smoked part or all of a cigarette?"

Youth Risk Behavior Survey--Information on current cigarette smoking is obtained from high school students (starting in 1991) based on the following question: 

"During the past 30 days, on how many days did you smoke cigarettes?"

SOURCE: Health, United States

Related Links
Tobacco Use

This page last reviewed January 11, 2007