Figure 8.1.
Prevalence of current smoking among adults aged 18 years and over:
United States, 1997-2002
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 people with
unknown smoking status (about 1% of respondents). CI is confidence
interval.
DATA SOURCE: Sample
Adult Core component of the 1997-2002 National Health Interview Surveys.
The estimate for 2002 was based on data collected from January through June.
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From January through June 2002, 22.0% (95% CI = 21.2%
- 22.9%) of adults aged 18 years and over were current smokers, continuing
a decline in the prevalence of current smoking among adults in the United
States.
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The prevalence of current smoking among U.S. adults
has declined over time from 24.7% in 1997 to 24.1% in 1998, 23.5% in 1999,
23.3% in 2000, 22.8% in 2001, and 22.0% in early 2002.
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