Figure 8.3. Prevalence
of current smoking among adults aged 18 years and over,by
sex and age group: United States, quarter one 2002
NOTES: Current smokers
were defined as those who smoked more than 100 cigarettes in their
lifetime and now smoke every day or some days. The analysis excluded 76
people with unknown smoking status.
DATA SOURCE: Based on
data collected from January through March in the Sample Adult Core
component of the 2002 National Health Interview Survey.
For
both sexes combined, the prevalence of current smoking was lower among
adults aged 65 years and over (9.1%), compared with adults aged 18-44
years (25.2%) and adults aged 45-64 years (21.7%). This pattern in current
smoking by age group was seen in both men and women.
A
significant difference between men and women in current smoking was seen
for all three age groups.