According to a recent government report, the smoking rate for adults in the United States has fallen below 18% for the first time since last year.
The rate remains consistent with 2012’s, and is equivalent to about 42 million smokers nation-wide.
Smoking was found to be common amongst the poor, less educated, and gays and bisexuals, according to the report, which was released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Until a few years ago, the nation’s smoking rate had plateaued around 20%.
However, last year’s survey surfaced that 17.8% of adults across the country reach for the pack.
Smoking is responsible for the majority of lung cancer deaths in the U.S. and is key factor in the heart attacks, as well as a myriad of other diseases.
Consequently, smoking is the number one cause of preventable illness in the U.S.
Electronic cigarettes have recently emerged as healthier replacements for nicotine cigarettes nation-wide.
Although the jury is still out on whether e-cigs are viably healthier than the real-smokes.
