Figure 8.1. Prevalence
of current smoking among adults aged 18 years and over:United
States, 1997 - 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
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
March.
In
early 2002, 21.5% (95% CI = 20.4% - 22.7%) 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.
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, and
22.8% in 2001.