Smoking Rates: Pack-A-Day Smoking Is Down Dramatically

Over the last 40 years, the number of people who smoke a pack a day has dropped significantly, a new study finds. And California -- with its comprehensive anti-smoking efforts -- has led the charge.

The report, published yesterday in JAMA, tracked the prevalence of heavy smokers (defined as people who smoke 20 cigarettes or more, per day) among more than a million-and-a-half respondents between 1965 and 2007.

Researchers from the University of California San Diego found that in 1965 -- the year after the first-ever surgeon general's report on smoking and health -- 56 percent of people who identified as smokers were heavy, or pack-a-day, smokers. By 2007, that percentage dropped dramatically, to only 40 percent.

In California, the decrease was even more pronounced; less than a quarter of people in 2007 responded that they were heavy smokers.

The prevalence of moderate-intensity smokers (defined as people who smoke 10 or more cigarettes per day) also fell.

Researchers say that the decline in pack-a-day smokers in the U.S. is directly reflected in the declines in lung cancer deaths, nationwide. They also stress the data shows that public policies aimed at decreasing smoking are effective, which is why in California in particular, both the prevalence and intensity of smoking have fallen. And with continued effort, they should keep on falling.

"Among younger birth cohorts," the study's authors wrote, "only a small minority of the population is expected to ever attain cigarette consumption levels of even 10 or more cigarettes per day."

Comments

[beauley]

06:40 AM on 04/25/2011

Maybe we should be looking at the possibility of other factors?
How to be Aware That Food Irradiation May be Starving us
http://www.ehow.com/how_5045211_aware-food-irradiation-may-starving.html

[Nic Tar Out]

05:52 AM on 04/10/2011

Safe Smoking Alternatives

Traditional smoking is still one of the worst habits a person can have. It is deadly, costly and the worst thing that could ever happen to a person. Thanks goodness, somebody has thought of electronic cigarettes; if not, many of earth’s population will end up in the grave soon. Friends of mine often jest that smokers don’t grow old (Now, you might say I am contradicting myself? Wait until you see the other half of the statement). The whole statement is: smokers do not grow old because they die young. If you are in doubt of the relief that the electronic cigarette can provide, then at least it is worth a try by getting one free electronic cigarette. Aside from avoiding the bad effects of tobacco smoking, you can enjoy cheap cigarettes the electronic way. These are refillable and do not contain tartar and nicotine. Addiction or Habit, don't you think that it's good that have an alternative?

MySafeSmoke.Com
Follow us on Twitter

[blokblok]

11:54 PM on 03/25/2011

I just quit and am loving life. I have been using smokeless cigarettes, I got a free trial from here- http://thesmokelesscigarettereview.com/ and havent looked back.

[Puffin16]

02:37 PM on 03/23/2011

My brother was an EMT and they had to go pick up a patient who was having trouble breathing. It turns out the man had had throat cancer due to smoking, and had a trach in his throat, and was on oxygen. They had to fight him because he was trying to light a cigarette, which he smoked through the trach in his throat. Now that's what I call an addiction.

[bumstead68]

11:09 PM on 03/21/2011

"Researchers say that the decline in pack-a-day smokers in the U.S. is directly reflected in the declines in lung cancer deaths, nationwide"
This is a finely crafted comment here!! Lung cancer DEATHS don't have much to do with smoking less. - That's technology (early detection, and better treatments)

What this author was careful NOT to say was Lung cancer incidence rates are 16% higher today than they were in 1974!! look it up here http://statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov/
Also if California's "comprehensive anti-smoking efforts" have done such wonderful things, then why do they show the same drop on lung cancer "incidence" rates, as Idaho, who, only last year instituted a ban in restaurants only??? - and only a slightly lower incidence rate than Indiana which has the second highest per-capita smoking rate in the nation.
Also California leads the nation in heart disease/heart attacks - another of the HUNDREDS of things blamed on smoking.
IT'S TIME WE WOKE UP!!! we have been lied to for YEARS by the anti-smoking groups. SHOW US SOME REAL EVIDENCE that smoking and ESPECIALLY second hand smoke are real killers!!!!

[matthewnsea]

05:24 PM on 03/20/2011

Chantix anyone? Worked for me!!!

[LittleOldLadyWho]

07:17 PM on 03/17/2011

It's an addiction!  Plain and simple as that!!  It has nothing to do with being "weak", and every one who has quit knows what I'm talking about.

I started really early and was at two packs when I quit for the last time--I quit at least 25 times in the 25 years I smoked!

[Frederick N Gotfredson]

09:57 AM on 03/17/2011

I'll tell you something. NIcotine is addictive, but it is a passing physical addiction. A large chunk of anyone's addiction, in my opinion, is psychological. It is an obsession, a compulsive behavior. People are wrong to think that nicotine is their main problem. Their problem is that they desire a crutch. A crutch serves the purpose in life to trick you mind into thinking you are doing something, when in fact you are actually just harming yourself. The best way to quit anything is to first realize why you don't actually want to do that any more, then decide that you are willing to live without it. Once you can honestly make those choices, you will realize the physical drug is not what you were addicted to- that physical lack passes quickly. You will realize that in the absence of being obsessed or compelled to do a repeated behavior (much like any other OCD behavior, such as constant hand washing, etc) you are not really so 'addicted' to any particular drug, you just needed a vice. People get addicted to many non-drug behaviors wth the same fervor as they get addicted to tobacco. Unfortunately, tobacco is more harmful. Also, tobacco stinks, doesn't give you a high of any sort, and has very few redeeming qualities.

[VocalEK]

11:31 AM on 03/17/2011

Are you aware of the fact that 99% of the smoking -related lung disease, heart disease, and cancers is caused by components of smoke other than nicotine? These include tar, carbon monoxide, particulates, and thousands of chemicals created by the process of combustion. If you take away the combustion, nicotine is about as harmful as caffeine. A large percentage of smokers in Sweden switched to snus (pronounced "snoose"), a powdered tobacco product. The tobacco used in snus is treated to greatly reduce the nitrosamines. We have 30 years of research on snus users. They live just as long as smokers who stopped all nicotine use. They have no elevated risk of lung disease, heart disease, and cancer when compared with other former smokers. About a third of nicotine gum users who achieved smoking cessation are still chewing the gum 12 months later. There are people who have chewed nicotine gum for years and years. No ill effects have been reported. People who switch to inhaling vaporized nicotine from an electronic cigarette are reporting improved lung health, greater stamina, and better markers of cardiovascular health. Nicotine has many beneficial effects on concentration, memory, attention, and mood. People who have problems in these areas find that when they are abstinent from nicotine, they become dysfunctional. The medications used to treat these problems have some very bad side effects, making nicotine the better choice to keep their symptoms in check. Nicotine without the smoke can be a good thing.

[SoCalNick]

06:14 PM on 03/16/2011

Funny I should read this now.

As a former 2 to 3 pack a day smoker myself ... I was a freak... smoked like a Chimney but could run 6 to 10 miles a day singing at the top of my lungs. Go figure.

Well I quit over 20 years ago it was very tough.... I still enjoy a occasional Cigar with my Brandy or Scotch .

2 minutes before I clicked this I heard a man coughing and hacking and choking ..

I have my windows open enjoying the wonderful breeze and WOW!! I mean "CALL 911" type sounds coming out of this guy....

I jump up and run to my front door to go try and save this guys life and what do I see....

Him sitting in his yard TRYING TO LIGHT A CIGARETTE!!!

I was NEVER that bad.

That is all

[DungBeetle]

04:53 PM on 03/16/2011

I wish I was the cig in the picture.

Sorry, did I say that outloud?

[spearsspears]

09:18 PM on 03/16/2011

No, but you did type it.

[NoSillyName]

02:15 AM on 03/17/2011

Yours is as big as my little finger?

[DungBeetle]

11:00 AM on 03/17/2011

Your little finger is as long and skinny as a cig? Gross.

[VocalEK]

02:55 PM on 03/16/2011

I would love to see someone conduct a survey to track down people who attempted to stop smoking within the past two years, ask what method/product they used, whether they were actually able to stop smoking, and, if so, how long they remained smoke-free. I belong to an online community with over 50,000 members. A common thread that runs through discussions is how ineffective the recommended products and methods turned out to be. Most of us tried the usual products and methods aimed at eliminating nicotine use. Most of us tried many different products, and many times, but we kept relapsing. We were finally able to stop lighting up cancer sticks by switching to a smoke-free alternative source of nicotine, and have remained smoke-free ever since. Most of us switched to vaporized nicotine (electronic cigarettes). Some switched to a smokeless tobacco product such as snus or dissolvables. Some even use a combination. We are experiencing significant health improvements as a result. I suspect that such a survey would show a much higher success rate for those who switch to a reduced-harm alternative than for those who follow the standard instructions to wean down and off nicotine.

[FPhoebe]

01:38 PM on 03/16/2011

I miss smoking every day. But I feel a lot better, health-wise. Smoking a pack a day at 19 years old was not one of my finer life choices.

[Bogey907]

01:27 PM on 03/16/2011

Pack-a-day smoking is a self-correcting problem.

[peowlemeow]

12:59 PM on 03/16/2011

Two pack a day up.

[NoSillyName]

12:59 PM on 03/16/2011

I don't know how anyone can afford it now. Cartons were still around $12 back when I quit.

[tjsmother]

01:34 AM on 03/17/2011

I was thinking that. I don't smoke but i see the prices, it lunacy.

[NoSillyName]

02:18 AM on 03/17/2011

I see signs for name brands at $6 or so. I smoked a pack & a half daily. That would really add up to a whole lot of moolah. Not to mention health costs.