U.S.: Number of smokers hits record low, but vape growing in popularity
The number of smokers in the United States has been steadily declining in recent years. At the same time, the number of vape users has been increasing.
– 1.5% smokers, + 1.1% e-cigarette smokers
In 2018, we reported the results of a semi-annual survey conducted by the CDC to track the evolution of smoking rates in the United States. At that time, the country had 14% of smokers, which was the lowest rate since the federal government tracked that data in 1965. Now, more than four years later, the results of the new wave of CDC surveys have declined. Americans now smoke at a record low rate of 11 percent. Last year, they were 12.5 percent.
For the handful of experts interviewed by CNN, this new drop in the number of smokers could be due to a number of factors. For example, they cited the many anti-smoking campaigns implemented in the country, the education of the population, especially young people, about the dangers of smoking, the laws that restrict places where it is possible to smoke and even the ban on tobacco companies to advertise their products. Taxes, they, reach only the last position, since they do not increase for more than 14 years and always reach only $1.01 per pack.
What was not mentioned by the experts surveyed was the rise of vape use in the United States. According to the CDC survey, there are now 6 percent of vape users in the U.S., compared to 4.9 percent last year. The increase in the number of smokers choosing to replace smoking with e-cigarettes was noted in 2018.
But on its own, the FDA continues to state that there is not enough evidence to support the claim that personal vaporizers help with smoking cessation.
