Cigarette Smoking Among Adults—United States, 2004

November 11, 2005 / Vol. 54 / No. 44

MMWR Introduction

According to the article, “Cigarette Smoking Among Adults—United States, 2004” released in the November 11, 2005, issue of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) journal, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), 20.9% (44.5 million) of adults in the United States were current smokers in 2004—down from 22.5% in 2002 and 24.1% in 1998. An estimated 45.6 million adults were former smokers, representing 50.6% of those who had ever smoked. The steady decline in smoking prevalence has been observed nationally, but in some segments of the population smoking prevalence remains high. Comprehensive tobacco control programs need to ensure that their prevention and cessation efforts reach persons with inadequate resources and limited access to health care.