US adult smoking incidence falls to 17 per cent

The US’ adult smoking rate is continuing to fall, according to an Associated Press story citing a new government report.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention figures, said to have come from a large national survey, indicated that the adult smoking incidence dropped from 18 percent in 2013 to 17 percent last year.

The US smoking rate has been falling for decades, with recent declines being put down to cigarette taxes, smoking bans, anti-smoking advertising campaigns, and the growing popularity of electronic cigarettes and other alternatives to traditional cigarettes.

Smoking is said to be the US’ leading cause of preventable illness.

Meanwhile, the smoking rate was about 15 percent for the first three months of this year, but this low figure was put down to the fact that beginning-of-the-year survey data tend to be skewed by the temporary impact of New Year’s resolutions.