FROM VITAL & HEALTH STATISTICS OF THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, . Public Health Service

EDUCATION, AND WELFARE Number 52 . September 19, 1979 Office of Health Research, Statistics,and Technology

Changes in Cigarette Smoking and Current Smoking

PracticesAmong Adults: United States, 1978’

Since the 1950’s, the prevalence of cigarette

smoking among adult males in the U.S. noninstitutionalized population has steadily declined.

In contrast, the proportion of female smokers

rose from the mid-fifties to the mid-sixties and

since then, the rates have only dropped slightly.

Furthermore, the smoking rates for men and

women are more similar now than in earlier

years. The average number of cigarettes con-

- snmed daily per smoker has nevertheless in0

creased. Over one-half of the persons who cur-

— rently smoke cigarettes have made at least one

serious attempt ‘to stop. One in 5 smokers who

tried to quit smoking in the past year were

successful. Over one-f ourth of cigarette smokers

now use lower tar cigarettes.

Beginning in 1965, the NationaI Center for

Health Statistics has periodically included cigarette smoking questions in its household Health

Interview Survey (HIS) conducted among the

U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population.

The items selected for inclusion have identified

the smoking status of the adult population and

in some years have also elicited information on

“~e,

their smoking practices and attempts to quit

smoking.

This report presents the latest available data

on smoking for the 6-month period July 17,

1978, through January 14, 1979. These data

were obtained in response to the Department of

Health, Education, and Welfare’s Office on

Smoking and HeaIth’s request for current

prevalence estimates on cigarette smokers. (Provisional smoking estimates based on 9 weeks of

a 1This report was prepared by Abigail Jean Moss, Diviskx of Health Interview Statistics.

these data appear in Smoking and Health, a report of the Surgeon General released earlier this

year.) The 1978 HIS questionnaire contained

items to identify current and former smokers. It

included questions on’ approximate numbers of

cigarettes presently smoked, numbers smoked

during the period of heaviest consumption, and

quitting attempts. Information needed to

identify tar and nicotine levels of cigarettes most

frequently smoked was also elicited.

Data presented in this report were obtained

from self-respondents. The sample consisted of a

one-third subsample of the usuaI HIS sample of

persons 17 years of age and over and included

approximately 12,000 persons. Tables 1-5

include data on both regular and occasional

smokers; tables 6-11 include data on regular

smokers only since these data were not obtained

from persons classified as occasional smokers.

The 1978 smoking questions will remain on

the HIS questionnaire throughout 1979. This

data-collection period is somewhat longer than

usual. It will (1) expand the smoking data base,

enabling a more detailed breakdown of the estimates into smiller population subgroups, and

(2) enable the observation of changes in smoking

habits over time, particularly before and after

the release of the Surgeon General’s report

Smoking and Health in January 1979.

In this report, summary statistics on smoking status and behavior are shown by sex, certain

ages, and for white and black persons. z However, these estimates are preliminary since a

2Statistics are available for additional age groups,

family income, and education of the individual. They

will be provided upon request by the Division of Health

Interview Statistics.
2 adwlncedata ●

—

Table 1. Percent of persons 17 years and over, by cigarette smoking status, sex, and age: United States, 1970, 1974, and 1978

[Data are based on household interviews of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. The source of data, sampling, and limitations

and qualifications of Data are given in the technical notes]

Sex and age

Both sexes

All ages 17 years and over .................

17-24 years ..................................................

25-44 years ............. .....................................

45-64 years ..................................................

65 years and over .........................................

Ma Ie

All ages 17 years and over .................

17-24 years ..................................................

25-44 years ................................. .................

45-64 years ................................. .................

65 years and over .........................................

Female

All ages 17 years and over .................

17-24 years ..................................................

25-44 years ..................................................

45-64 years ..................................................

65 years and over . .......................................

Present smoker Never smoked Former smoker

1978 1974 1970 1978 1974 1970 1978 1974 1970

m

33.7 36.8 36.9

32.6 36.2 35.4

39.0 44.5 44.6

36.5 37.7 38.6

16.5 17.3 16.1

T

37.4 42.7 43.5

33.9 40.3 41.2

42.3 50.7 50.9

39.9 42.6 44.8

22.9 24.8 23.1

m

30.4 31.9 31.1

31.4 32.6 30.5

35.9 39.2 38.8

33.4 33.4 33.0

11.9 12.0 11.0

1 ~cludes *erSonS with unknown srndcim status.

more complete edit of the data, planned for

later this year, may produce slight variations

between these figures and final results. A more

detailed report in Series 10 of Vital and Health

Statistics, scheduled for release next year, wilI

include the combined cigarette smoking results

from the 1978 and 1979 surveys.

Data from this latest survey show that about

1 out of 3 adults (33.7 percent) in the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population are cigarette

smokers—dow”n slightly from 36.8 percent in

1974 and 36.9 percent in 1970 (tables 1-3).

This latest estimate represents the lowest proportion of cigarette smokers, as a group, since

the 1950’s. The 1974 and 1978 results were

obtained from self-respondents while in 1970

proxy respondents were also used. The recent

decline in cigarette smokers has occurred primarily among males (from 43.5 percent in 1970

to 37.4 percent in 1978). In contrast, the proportion of female smokers 17 years of age and

45.6

58.7

41.0

36.9

55.4

34.7

56.4

33.1

22.6

30.3

55.3

60.8

48.5

49.7

72.9

Percent 1

44.1

54.6

37.1

37.5

59.4

30.1

48.5

26.0

21.0

33.6

65.7

60.0

46.6

51.6

77.4

45.1

56.3

36.6

39.7

62.6

30.9

49.3

25.8

23.1

37.3

57.5

62.3

46.6

54.8

81.4

20.3 I 19.21 18.0

1 I

8.4 9.2 8,3

19.5 18.4 18.8

26.0 24.8 21,7

28.0 23.3 21,3

‘<

27.4 27.2 25.6

9,2 11.2 9.5

24.1 23.3 23.3

36.9 36.3 32,2

46.4 –-41.6 39.6

15.2 10.6 7,6

over has remained about the same (31. 1 percent in 1970 and 30.4 percent in 1978). -

A person is classified as a present cigarette :

smoker if he reports that he has smoked at

least 100 cigarettes (five packs) during his entire life and that he is presently smoking. Present

cigarette smokers are further classified as regular smokers and occasional smokers. A present

occasional smoker smokes cigarettes now ,*

but volunteers that he has never smoked re~

uIarly when asked: “About how old were

you when you first started smoking cigarettes

fairly regularly?” Present regular smokers are

all other present smokers. A similar dichotomy

is used to classify former cigarette smokers.

The differences which have occurred in the

cigarette smoking habits of men and women

from 1970 to 1978 are also apparent in estimates of persons who have ‘n-ever smoked.

L&J@

While the proportion of adult males who have

never smoked is increasing—3 0.9 percen “..
o

admncedata 3

Table 2. Number of persons 17 years and over, by cigarette smoking status, race, sex, and age: United States, 1978

[Data are based on household interviews of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. The source of data, sampling, and limitations

and qualifications of Data are given in the technical notes]

I

Never All OCsmoked casional

smokers

Present smoker

I

Former smoker

Race, sex, and age

Tota I

Al I

population

smokersl

Regular ReguIar

Regular

and ocRegular and occasional smoker casional smoker

smoker only smoker only

All races2 Number in thousands

Both sexes 17 years

and over................ 155,452

31,817

57,251

43,463

22,921

73,3BI

15,492

27,828

20,616

9,445

82,070

16,325

29,423

22,846

13,475

136,607

27,168

49,726

38,985

20,728

64,936

71,671

14,572

84,524 52,348 I 51,685 31,547 29,237 70,854 3,165

17-24 years.,......................

25-44 years..,...,,., ..............

45-64 years........................

65 years and over...............

13,139

33,772

27,391

10,222

47,884

6,741

18,621

15,952

6,570

36,641

10,386 10,224

22,337 21,992

15,854 15,723

3,772 3,746

2,658

11,165

11,301

6,423

20,102

2,372

10,306

10,520

6,039

18,730

18,664

23,479

16,025

12,687

25,471

488

1,282

985

410

1,710

Male 17 years and

over............................

T

27,408 27,151

5,258 5,176

11,763 11,615

8,225 8,199

2,161 2,161

1,233

6,157

7,205

4,134

10,507

17-24 years., ......................

25-44 years........................

45.64 years........................

65 years and over...............

1,427

6,697

7,597

4,381

11,445

8,737

9,207

4,665

2,863

45,383

290

729

444

247

m 1,455

Female 17 years and

over............................ 24,940 I 24,535

?7.24 years........................

25-44 years........................

45-64 years,,,...,, ................

65 years and over...............

6,399

15,150

11,440

3,652

75,323

11,381

29,655

24,874

9,413

42,655

32,668

7,231

5,127 5,048

10,573 10,377

7,629 7,524

1,610 1,585

1,232

4,468

3,704

2,042

28,982

2,340

10,243

10,451

5,947

18,492

10,489

1,904

1,139

4,148

3,315

1,905

26,849

2,081

9,487

9,695

5,587

17,227

9,623

1,762

9,927

14,273

11,360

9,823

61,225

198

553

541

163

2,872

White

17 years and over., .......

7

45,761 45,200

8,945 8,810

19,153 18,861

14,224 14.115

3,439 3,414

17-24 years.......m................

25-44 years........................

45-64 years ...................... ..

65 years and over...............

15,787

20,071

14,065

11,302

22,269

38,956

7,341

435

1,126

925

386

1,535

1,337

243

Male ...................................

Female ...............................

23,815 23,613

21,946 21,587

Black

17 years and over......... 5,278 5,189

17-24 years........................

25-44 years..., ....................

45-64 years........................

65 years and over.., ............

3,587

5,540

3,633

1,812

6,256

8,316

1,306

3,165

2,142

618

3,918

3,313

1,068 1,054

2,520 2,468

1,394 1,371

296 296

239

634

710

322

1,162

742

212

555

697

298

1,069

693

2,281

2,375

1,491

1,195

2,338

5,003

*4 I

130

*48

*24

161

*82

Male ...................................

Female ...............................

2,730 2,675

2,548 2,515

lIncludes smokers with unknown present smoking status.

●

2hrchrdes all other races, which are not shown separately.

NOTE: When a figure is shown with an asterisk, it is presented only for the purpose of combining with other cells. An estimate has a

relative standard error of less than 30 percent when the aggregate is at least 125,000.
4 achncedata

Table 3, Percent distribution of persons 17 years and over by cigarette smoking status, according to race, sex, and age:

m

United States, 1978

[Data are based on household inter-views of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. The source of data, sampling, rmd limitations

and qualifications of Data are given in the technical notes]

Present smoker

I

Former smoker

Race, sex, and age

Total All

popuIatior?

smokers2

Never

smoked

All Occasional

smokers

Regular

and occasional

smoker

Regular

smoker

only

Regu Iar

and occasional

smoker

Regular

smoker

only

Al I races2 Percent distribution

Both sexes 17 years

and over ................

17-24 years ........................

25-44 years ........................

45-64 years ........................

65 years and over ...............

Male 17 yaarsand

over ............................

17-24 years ........................

25-44 yeers ........................

45-64 years ........................

65 years and over ..... ........ ..

Female 17 years and

over ............................

17-24 years ........................

25-44 years ........................

45-64 years ............ ..... .......

65 years and over ..............

White

17 years and over .........

17-24 years ........................

25-44 years ........................

45-64 years, ..... ..................

65 years and over ....... ........

Male ...................................

Female ...............................

Black

17 yws and over...,, ....

17-24 years ........................

24-44 years ........................

45-64 years ........................

65 years and over ..............

Male ..................................

Female ..............................

33.2

32.1

38.4

36.2

16.3

37.0

100.0 54.4 33.7 18,8

32.6

39.0

36.5

16.5

37.4

20.3

8.4

19.5

26,0

28.0

27.4

45.6

58.7

41,0

36.9

55.4

34,7

2.0

1,5

2.2

2,3

1,8

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

41.3

59.0

63.0

44.6

65.3

7.5

18.C

24.2

26.2

25.5 2.3

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

43.5

66.9

77.4

69.6

44.6

33.9

42.3

39.9

22.9

30.4

33.4

41.7

39.8

22.9

29.9

9.2

24.1

36.9

46.4

13.9

8.0

22.1

34.9

43,8

12.e

66.4

33.1

22.6

30.3

55.3

1.9

2.6

2.2

2.6

1.8 @

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

39.2

51.5

50.1

27.1

55.1

41.9

59.6

63.8

45.4

65.7

45,6

49.6

31.4

35.9

33.4

11.9

33.5

32.9

38.5

36.5

16.6

36.7

30.6

36.2

30.9

35.3

32.9

11.B

33.1

32.4

37,9

36.2

16.5

36.4

30.1

35.6

7.5

15.2

16.2

15.2

21.2

8.6

20.6

26,8

28.7

28.5

14.6

13.1

7.0

14.1

14.5

14.1

19,7

7.7

19.1

24.9

27.0

26.5

13,4

12.1

60.8

48.5

49.7

72.9

44,8

58.1

40,4

36.1

54.5

34.3

54.4

50.4

1,2

1,9

2,4

1.2

2.1

1.6

2.3

2,4

1,9

2.4

1,9

1.7

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

36.4

57.1

59.0

34.1

62.6

39.8

29.8

45.5

38.4

16.3

43.6

30.6

29.4

44.5

37.7

16.3

42.8

30.2

6.7

11.4

19.5

17.8

18.6

8.9

5.9

10.0

19.2

16.4

17.1

8.3

*1.1

2,3

*1.3

*1 .3

63.6

42.9

41,0

65.9

37.4

60.2

2,6

*1 .0

lExcludes persons with unknown smoking status.

21ncludes smokers wifi unknown preSent smoking status.

31ncludes all other races, which are not shown separately.

NOTE: When a fiiure is shown with an asterisk, it is presented only for the purpose of combining with other cells. An estimate has a

relative standard error of less than 30 percent when the aggregate is at least 125,000.
acklncedata 5

1970 and 34.7 percent in 1978–the proportion

of femaIes has remained about the same (57.5

and 55.3 percent, respectively).

Although estimates of male present smokers

and smokers 25-44 years of age are declining,

the average number of cigarettes consumed daily

per smoker is increasing. In 1970, 23.3 percent

of all adult cigarette smokers smoked 25 cigarettes or more a day, while in 1978, 27.9 percent of all smokers reported smoking at this

level (tables 4 and 5). In addition greater proportions of adults smoked less than 15 cigarettes

per day in 1970 than in 1978 (32.9 compared

with 29.4 percent). This trend is found among

both men and women and in all age groups.

“These findings probably reflect se~er~ phenomena; among them are changes in the cigarette product itself, increased smoking by

some smokers who have switched to lower

tar cigarettes, and a disproportionate number

of persons smoking fewer cigarettes may be

quitting.

The 1978 cigarette consumption data also

show that persons smoking less than 15 cigarettes daily were more often female, black,

and either under 25 years of age or 65 years

and over. In contrast, persons smoking 25 cigarettes or more a day were predominantly 25-64

years of age, male, and white.

The Health Interview Survey data from 1978

further show that the majority of people who

now smoke cigarettes have made at least one

serious attempt to quit during their smoking

years. About 60 percent of the over 50 million

current adult cigarette smokers have tried to

stop smoking at some time, of whom an estimated 13%. million have made an attempt during the past year (table 6). These data were

Table 4. Percent of present smokers 17 years and over by amount smoked daily, sex, and age: United States, 1970,1974, and 1978

[Data are based on household interviews of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. The source of data, sampling, and limitations

and qualifications of Data are given in the technical notes]

● Sex and age

Both sexes

All agas 17 years and over .................................

17-24 years ..................................................................

25-44 years ..................................................................

45-64 yaars .............................................................. ....

65 years and over .........................................................

Male

All ages 17 years and over ......................................

17-24 years .................................................................

25-44 years .................................................................

45-64 years .................................................................

65 years and over ........... ............................................

Female

All ages 17 years and over......................................

17-24 years..................................................................

25-44 years..................................................................

45-64 years..................................................................

Amount smoked daily

1

Less than 15 cigarettes I 25 cigarettes or more

1978 1974 1970 1978 1974 1970

Percent of rxesent smokersl

29.4

37.8

26.9

25.3

38.7

23.4

33.1

20.3

18.5

36.0

36.0

●

65 years and over,,,,.,,,,,,,,.,,,,, ......................................

1Excludes present smokers with unknown amounts smoked.

42.6

34.2

32.8

42.3

32.2

43.6

28.1

27.8

44.0

26.3

39.1

22.1

20.8

39.3

38,7

4B,5

34.7

35.3

50.7

32.9

43.4

28.3

30.8

45.5

27.8

39.7

22.8

24.5

44.5

39.1

47.7

34.8

38.4

47.2

27.g

17.:

30.7

32.6

19.E

34.1

18.9

37.3

42.4

22.3

21.0

15.6

23.6

22.2

15.9

14.3 13.9

29.2 26.7

27.3 25.7

17.7 14.7

T

30.6 27.7

15,4 15.6

35.2 30.8

36,9 32.4

18.8 16.8

t

18.5 18.0

13.0 11.8

22.5 21.7

16.9 17.7

16,2 11.4
6 ackincedata

Table 5. Number of present smokers 17 years and over

sex,

and

and

percent

age: United

distribution

States, 1978

by number of cigarettes smoked daily, according to race,●

[Data are based on household interviews of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. The source of data, sampling, and limitations

and qual~lcations of Data are given in the technical notes]

Number of cigarettes smoked daily

Tota 11 Less than 15-24 25-34 35 or

15 more

Number

of present

;mokers in

:housends

52,348

10,386

22,337

15,854

3,772

27,408

Race, sex, and age

All races2

Both sexes 17 years and over ............................

Percent distribution

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

29.4

37.8

26.9

25.3

38.7

23.4

42.7 13,0 14,9

I

I

17-24 years ........................... ......................................

25-44 years .................................................................

45-64 years .............................................................. ...

65 years and over .................. ........ ..............................

44.9

42.3

42.0

41.8

10.9

14.7

12,3

11,3

6.4

16,0

20.3

8,3

Male 17 years and over ....................... ................... 42.5 I 15.4 18.7

17-24 years .................................................................

25-44 years .................................................................

45-64 years .................................................................

65 years and over ........................................................

5,258

11,763

8,225

2,161

24,940

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

33.1

20.3

18.5

36.0

36.0

48.0

42.4

39.2

41.7

12.3

16.8

15.5

14.3

6.6

20,5

26.9

8.0

Female 17 years and over ......................................

%--+

10,6

17-24 years .................................................................

25-44 ymrs .................................................................

45-64 years .......................................................... .......

65 years and over ........................................................

5,127

10,573

7,629

1,610

45,761

8,945

19,153

14,224

3,439

23,815

21,946

5,27B

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

42.6

34.2

32.8

42.3

25.6

33.7

22.3

21.9

37.7

19.5

32.1

57.9

45.1

41.8

8.9

*7.1

White

17 years and over ...................................................

T

44.1 14,1

47.3 11.8

44.0 16,3

42.6 13.4

42.6 11.4

16,2

17-24 years ..................................................................

25-44 years ..................................................................

45-64 years ..................................................................

65 years and over .........................................................

7.2

17,5

22,1

8.3

20,4

1147

Mle .............................................................................

Female .................................................................. ...... .

43.5

44.7

16.5

11,5

Black

17 years and over ................................................... 32.9 3.9 5.3

17-24 ymrs ..................................................................

25-44 years ..................................................................

45-64 years ..................................................................

65 years and ovar .........................................................

1,068

2,520

1,394

296

2,730

2,548

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

68.1

56.0

56.0

45.6

51.4

64.7

28.0

32.7

36.9

*33.4

*4.O

*3.6

*3.O

*1 0.5

i+.

7.7

*4.1

++10.5

Wle ...................................... .......................................

Femle .............. ...........................................................

35.1 5.8

30.6 *1.9

7,6

●2.8

lExcludes present smokers with unknown amounts smoked.

21ncludes all other races which are not shown separately.

NOTE:When a figure is shown with an asterisk, it is presented only for the purpose of combining with other cells. An estimate has a

relative standard error of less than 30 percent when the aggregate is at least 125,000.
acklncedata. 7

Table 6. Number of present regular smokers 17 years and over and percent distribution by never attempting and ever attempting to quit

smoking and attempts to quit in past yaar, according to race, sax, and aga: United States, 1978

[Data are based on household interviews of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. The source of data, sampling, and limitations

and qualifications of Data are given in the technical notes]

Number of

present

regular

smokers in

thousends

Never

attempted

to quit

smoking

Ever attempted to quit smoking All

present

regular

smokersl

Race, age, and sex Attempts in past year ,

Tota12

None 1 2 or more

All racas3 Percent distribution

Both sexes 17 years and over ....... 51,685

10,224

21,992

15,723

3,746

27,151

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

40.7 59.3 32.7 17.8 8.4

17-24 years.,..,.,,.,.,,, ..............................

25-44 years., ..........................................

45-64 years .............. ..............................

65 years and over., .................................

46.0

38.7

39.7

42.4

39.9

54.0

61.3

60.3

57.6

60.1

17.3

35.7

38.6

31.9

35.5

26.2

18.1

13.3

12.4

16.7

10.5

7.3

7.8

11.9

Male 17 years and over ............... ...... 7.7

17-24 years ............................................

25-44 years.., .........................................

45-64 years ............................................

65 years and over ...................................

5,176

11,615

8,199

2,161

24,535

5,048

10,377

7,524

1,585

45,200

8,810

18,861

14,115

3,414

23,613

21,587

5,189

1,054

2,468

1,371

296

2,675

2,515

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

45.7

38.7

38.2

38.7

41.6

46.3

38.7

41.3

47.6

40.3

45.4

37.8

39.7

42.8

38.8

41.8

42.8

54.3

61.4

61.8

61.4

58.4

53.7

61.3

58.7

52.4

59.7

54.6

62.2

60.3

57.2

61.2

58.2

57.2

17.7

37.6

43.3

37.3

29.5

16.9

33.5

33.6

24.7

34.3

17.9

38.0

39.8

33.1

37.3

30.9

20.1

25.4

16.6

12.0

14.0

19.1

27.1

19.8

14.6

10.3

17.5

26.2

17.7

13.0

12.5

.16.6

18,5

22.3

11.3

7.0

6.0

8.9

9.2

9,7

7.6

9.7

15.8

7.6

10.5

6.3

6.9

10.5

7.0

8.3

14.3

Fermrle 17 years and over ..................

●

17-24 years ............................................

25-44 years ........................................ ...

45-64 years ............................................

65 yaars and over ...... .............................

White

17 years and over .............................

17-24 years.. m.,.,,.,..................................

25-44 years ............................................

45-64 years...,,, ......................................

65 years and over., .................................

Mle ....................m................................m.

Female ................................................,.,

81ack

17 years and over., ............................

17-24 years ......... .................... ...............

25-44 years ............................. ...............

45-64 years ............................. ...............

65 years and over,,..,..,.,.., ......................

Male .......................................................

Femle ................................................. ..

48.4

43.3

38.5

*39.5

46.4

39.1

51.6

56.7

61.5

60.5

53.6

60.9

*1 1.6

19.5

28.0

*1 8.6

21.5

18.7

30.9

23.0

17.8

*8.4

19.5

25.2

*9,1

13.8

15.8

*29,4

12.1

16.5

1Excludes unknown if ever attempted to quit smoking.

21ncludes unknown “number of attempts in past year.

31n~Iudes all other races which are not shown separately.

NOTE: When a figure is showrr with an asterisk, it is presented only for the purpose of combining with other cells. An estimate has a

●

relative standard error of less than 30 percent when the aggregate is at least 125,000.
derived from two questions: “Have you ever

made a serious attempt to stop smoking cigarettes?” and “During the past 12 months, that is

since (date) a year ago, about how many times

would you say you made a fairly serious attempt

to stop smoking cigarettes entirely?”

About the same percent of black and white

present smokers have attempted to quit at some

time. However, data show a higher percent of

black smokers than of white smokers with one

attempt or more within the past year (36.6 and

25.1 percent, respectively). Although a slightly

higher proportion of male smokers have ever

attempted to quit, proportionately more women

than men have made one attempt or more to

quit during the year (28.3 and 24.4 percent, respectively). This sex difference is more apparent

among black smokers (41.7 compared with 31.6

percent) than among white smokers (26.8 and

23.6 percent).

Young smokers–those 17-24 years of age–

more frequently rep orted attempts to quit

smoking cigarettes in the last year than smokers

25 years of age or older did (about 37 compared

with about 24 percent).

Respondents who attempted to quit smoking in the past year were asked: “How long did

you actually stay off cigarettes the last time?”

While this question was designed to elicit a specific number of days, weeks, etc. that persons

actually stopped smoking, about 11 percent of

the respondents instead said that they did not

stay off. Since no followup question was asked

to determine specifically what was meant by

this response–less than a day, less than a week,

or some other interval-persons answering this

way are shown in a separate category in table 7.

Almost two-thirds (60.5 percent) of the current smokers who attempted to quit in the past

year stopped for 1 week or longer during their

last attempt. A slightly higher percent of male

than of female smokers (62.9 and 58.2 percent)

were able to stay off cigarettes for 1 week or

more. The reverse pattern is seen for the interval 1 month or more; 28.5 percent of mile

smokers and 30.5 percent of female smokers

who attempted to quit stayed off cigarettes for

this length of time.

. ..

Young adults had appreciably greater success

(if success is measured by length of time stayed

off) —almost 70 percent stayed off cigarettes for

1 week or more–than persons 45-64 years did.

for

For

1

the

week

latter

or more.

group,

No

about

appreciable

50 percent

differences

stopped ●

were found in the length of time black and

white smokers stayed off cigarettes.

For this survey a former smoker is defined

as a person who has smoked at least 100 cigarettes during his lifetime but is not smoking

now. Overall, about one-third of all adults

classified as former smokers reported quitting

within the past 3 years (table 8). Perhaps more

meaningful statistics are derived when estimates

of former smokers who quit smoking during the

past 12 months are combined with present

smokers.

Data in table 9 show that 30.8 percent of

recent smokers—persons who smoke now or

smoked sometime during the past year-made

an attempt or actually quit smoking during the

past year. Of those who tried to quit, 1 in 5

persons was. successful. Proportionately more

young smokers (41.9 percent) attempted to quit

smoking than other persons did. Middle-aged

smokers–45-64 years–were least likely to try

to quit and were least likely to succeed of all

age ‘,oups. While a slightly higher proportion of

female than of male smokers attempted to quit

smokers

(32.7 compared

were slightly

with

more

29.1

likely

percent),

to “succeed

male ●

(21.5 compared with 18.8 percent). Similarly,

while a higher proportion of black smokers than

white smokers made an attempt to quit (39.1

and 29.9 percent), the rate of success was higher

among white smokers (21.4 and 10.3 percent),

The above estimates represent a crude mess.

ure of a “quit rate,” as they contain all persons

who have recently stopped. Included are persons

who quit only several days before the interview

and may have resumed smoking. In contrast, excluded are persons who reported at the time of

interview that they smoked but actually were in

the process of quitting and may have subsequently been successful. The effects of these imprecise inclusions and exclusions may cancel

each other out. Further analysis of these data

and the results from another smoking survey

now being designed should provide further

insight regarding the extent of this phenomenon.

This is the first year the HIS questionnaire

has contained questions to identify tar and

nicotine levels of cigarettes smoked most often

(tables 10 and 11). -

Since much of the current interest in tar ● :1

I
admncedata 9

able 7, Number of present regular smokers 17 years and over who attempted to quit smoking and percent distribution by length of time

off cigarettes, according to rata, sex, and age: United States, 1978

[Data are based on household interviews of the civilian noninstitutionalized oooulation. The source of data, sampling, and limitations

p

Race, sex, and age

I

“i

All races2

Both sexes 17 years

and over.,,.,, ..........

17-24 years ........................

25-44 years ........................

45-64 years..,,., ..................

65 years and over.,,,.,, .......

Mete 17 years and

over, ..........................

17-24 years,, .....................

25-44 years .......................

45.64 veals .......................

●

65 Vea;s and over ..............

Famale 17 years and

over ...........................

17-24 years ........................

25-44 years, ......................

45-64 years,.,,.,,.,..,,..,.,.,,,.,

65 years and over ..............

White

17 years and over .........

17-24 years..., ....................

25-44 years .......................

~ 45-64 years,, .....................

“1 65 years and over.., ...........

i

4. Male .,.,,.............................

Female ..............................

Black

17 years and over.,.,,,,.,

17-24 years,,,,,.,, ...............

25-44 years,.,,,..., ..............

45-64 years .......................

65 years and over,..,,.,.,...,.

Male .,, s .,, ,,, ,, .,.,... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Female.,, ...........................

and qualifications of Data are given in tie ~echnical notes]

Number of

smokers

who

ittemptad

to quit in

thousands

30,434

5,492

13,359

9,449

2,134

16,188

2,788

7,032

5,059

1,310

14,246

2,704

6,327

4,390

824

26,845

4,793

11,648

8,474

1,930

14,362

12,463

2,935

529

1,384

843

179

1,403

1,532

I

Total 1

Did not

stay off

100.0 l==== 10.8

t

100.0 7.3

100.0 10.7

100.0 14.2

100.0 *1 2.9

100.0 9.2

100.0 6.7

100.0 10.2

100.0 9.1

100.0 *1 3.6

100.0 r

12.2

100.0

100,0 1n

100,0 18.2

100.0 *1 2.1

100.0 11.0

100,0 7.7

100.0 10.7

100.0 14.1

100.0 *1 5.1

100.0 9.9

100.0 12.0

100.0 10.7

100.0 *6.1

100.0 *1 1.2

100,0 *I 6.6

1(H).O *.

100.0 *5,3

100.0 15.0

Length of time off cigarettes

w

Percent distribution

+

23.4 11.9

28.3 10.4

35.3 15.4

30.0 16.1

23.6 12.6

28.3 9.2

34.0 19.2

*25.2 *1 6.8

29.5 I 11.8

23.1 11.1

28.3 11.5

36.3 12.3

35.7 *1 5.3

T

28.6 13.1

23.0 12.0

28.6 11.4

34.7 16.2

29.5 17.0

27.0 13.3

30.0 13.0

T

28.4 9.3

*22.7 *1 0.2

27.0 ++7.1

34.3 *1 1.9

*37.5 *11.6

32.5 *1 2.3

25.3 *7.0

18.6

24.4

18.5

13.8

*1 1.9

21.4

31.2

19.3

14.8

*1 4.5

15.9

17.4

17.8

13.1

*9.2

17.8

24.9

17.2

12.5

*1 0.0

20.7

14.9

24.3

*26.1

*23.5

*23.3

●27.7

27.1

22.2

1 month

but less

than 3

months

14.9

17.8

15.7

12.4

*7.2

15.4

12.6

18.1

17.4

*5.5

14.5

23.2

13.4

8.4

*9.2

15.1

17.5

16.2

13.3

*5.O

15.6

14.6

12.9

*1 8,5

*1 2.8

*5.4

*23.2

*1 2.5

13.3

3 months

or more

14.6

15.3

16.3

9.0

21.7

13.1

13.3

14.9

*5.6

*24.5

16.0

17.2

17.7

11.7

*18.4

14.4

14.8

15.9

9.2

23.6

13.4

15.5

14.3

*1 6.3

18.3

*8.5

*.

*1O.5

17.3

●

lExcludes smokers with unknown length of time off cigarettes.

21nchsdes all other races which are not shown SeParatf21Y.

NOTE: When a fiiure is shown with an asterisk, it is presented only for the purpose of combining with other cells. An estimate has a

relative standard error of less than 30 percent when the aggregate is at least 125,000.
10 achancedata

Table 8. Number of former regular smokers 17

ing

years

to race,

and over

sex, and

and

age:

percent

United

distribution

States, 1978

by length of time since smoked cigarettes, accord-●

[Data are based on household interviews of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. The source of data, sampling, and limitations

and qualifications of Data are given in the technical notes]

Length of time since smoked cigarettes

Tota 11 Less than 1-3 4-7 8-11 12 years

1 year years years years or more

Number oi

former

regular

smokers in

thousands

Race, sex, and age

All races2

Both sexes 17 years and over .......

Percent d istribut ion

100”0II 11”7 29,237

2,372

10,306

10,520

6,039

18,730

1,233

6,157

7,205

4,134

10,507

20.3

43.4

25.5

15.3

10.B

18.5

18.7 18.6 30,8

17-24 years.............................................

2544 years.............................................

45-64 years.............................................

65 years and over....................................

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

38.8

15.4

6.2

4.1

15.3

22.9

17.3

15.2

18.3

*2,5

20.5

21.3

16.8

18,5

*.

15.7

39,8

53,1

Male 17 years and over ......................

T

100.0 9.7

100.0 36.4

100.0 12.4

100.0 6.1

100.0 3.5

35.0

17-24 yearn .............................................

25-44 years.., ..........................................

45-64 years .............................................

65 years and over ....................................

39.7

25.9

14.4

8.0

23.4

47.!3

24.8

17.2

16.7

19.8

19.1

22.1

18.2

12.5

19.3

*1 1.2

24.0

15.4

20.9

18.8

*4.8

21.9

19.7

15.5

18.6

17;

41,5

60,5

Female 17 years and over .................. 23.3

-i

100.0 15.3

100.0 41.4

100.0 19.8 0

*.

‘12.

36.2

37.4

17-24 years.............................................

25-44 years.............................................

45-64 years .............................................

65 years and over ....................................

1,139

4,148

3,315

1,905

26,849

*.

18.5

24.7

19,5

18.3

100.0 6.5

100.0 *5.5

100.0 11.5

White

17 years and over . ............................. 31.5

7

100.0 35.6

100.0 15.6

100.0 6.6

100.0 4.0

17-24 years .............................................

25-44 years .............................................

45-64 years .............................................

65 years and over ....................................

2,081

9,487

9,695

5,587

17,227

9,623

1,762

44.8

24.9

15.1

9.9

18.2

22,6

25.4

*34.4

29.6

*1 8.1

●29.6

21.4

31.3

16.7

22.2

17.7

15.7

18.6

19.3

14.9

*2.9

20.9

20.6

16.1

17.8

19.4

20.9

*.

16.4

40,1

54.4

Male.......................................... .............

Female ...................................................

-L100.0 9.4

100.0 15.3

100.0 12.3

100.0 65.1

36.1

23.4

Black

17 years and over.............................. 26,4

17-24 years .............................................

2544 years, ..... .......................................

45-64 years .............................................

65 years and over....................................

212

555

697

298

1,069

693

*-

35.4

*I 0.5

*-

*I 3.1

*1 7.5

*.

*1 8.6

25,2

*30.O

28,5

*I 0.0

●✎

*7,6

44,2

*35 ,4

100.0I

*8.7

100.0 *1 .8

100.0 I

*4.9

Wle ........................................................

Female ....................................................

100.0 I

*9.7

100.0 *1 5.9

27,3

25,2

l~cludes former smokers with unknown length of time since smoked Cigarettes.

21n~ludes all other races which are not shown Separately.

NOTE When a figure is shown with an asterisk, it is presented only for the purpose of combining with other cells. An estimate has a

relative standard error of less than 30 percent when the aggregate is at least 125,000.
●

acklncedata 11

Table 9. Number of recent smokers (persons smoking in past year) 17 years and over and number and percent who attempted or suit

smoking in past year, by present smoking status, race, sex, and age: United States, 1978

[Data are based on household interviews of the civilian noninstitutionalized uooulation. The source of data. samolirw. and limitations

and qualifications of Data are given in the ~echnical notes]

..- .

Recent smokers attempting to

quit or quitting in prst year

Smokers

attempting

to quit

and who

succeeded

in pest year

Smokers

attempting

or quitting

in past year

All recent

smokers

55,106

Race, sex, and age Present

smokers who Former

Tota I

attempted smokers

to quit who quit

All racesl Nurrber in thousends2 Percent 2

Both sexes 17 years and

over .......................... ....... 16,962 13,541 3,421 30.8 20.2

17-24 years ..................................

25-44 years ..................................

45-64 years ..................................

65 years and over., ......................

11,144

23,579

16,375

3,994

28,968

4,672

7,173

3,97a

1,158

8,442

3,752

5,586

3,318

910

6,625

92a

1,587

652

248

1,817

41.9

30.4

24.2

29.0

19.7

22.1

16,4

21.4

Male 17 years and over..., ....... 29.1 21.5

17-24 years ..................................

25-44 years ..................................

45-64 years ..................................

65 years and over .........................

5,625

12,378

8,639

2,306

26,143

2,349

3,504

1,916

640

8,551

1,900

2,741

1,476

495

6,943

449

763

440

145

1,608

41.8

28.3

22.2

27.8

19.1

21.8

23.0

22.7

●

Female 17 years and over .......

17-24 years ..................................

32.7 18.8

5,520

11,198

7,739

1,690

48,288

9,551

20,341

14,755

3,637

25,232

23,059

5,406

2,330

3,664

2,043

519

14,433

1,858

2,643

1,828

414

11,345

472

821

215

*105

3,088

42.2

32.7

26.4

30.7

20.3

22.4

10.5

*20.2

25-44 years ..................................

45-64 years .. ................................

65 years and over . .......................

White

17 years and over ................... 29.9 21.4

41.6 18.6

29,5 24.6

23.4 18.6

27.7 22.1

28,5 22.5

31.5 20.3

17-24 years ..................................

25-44 years ..................................

45-64 years ..................................

65 years and over .........................

3,974

6,007

3,449

1,008

7,192

7,257

2,116

3,233

4,527

2,809

785

5,573

5,785

1,899

741

1,480

640

223

1,619

1,472

217

Male.............................................

Female. ........................................

Black

17 years and over .................... 39.1 I 10.3

17-24 years ...................................

25-44 years ...................................

45-64 years ...................................

65 years and over ..........................

47.0 24.6

38.0 “5.0

34.2 *2.7

40.8 ●11 .8

34.1 *11 .0

44.2 ●9 .5

1,192

2,516

1,384

311

2,779

2,625

560

956

474

127

949

1,159

422

908

461

●112

845

1,049

138

*48

*1 3

●15

*104

*110

Male ................................. .............

Female ..........................................

1 ~~ludes an other races not shown Separately.

2Excludes occasional smokers.

o

NOTE: When a figure is shown with an asterisk, it is presented only for the purpose of combirdrrg with other cells. An estimate has a

eletive standard errorless than 30perc.ent when theaggregate isat least 125,000.
12 ackincedata

Table 10. Number of present regular smokers 17 years and overand percent distribution bytarlevel ofcigarettes smoked, according to

race, sex, and age: United States, 1978

[Data are based onhousehold intervie\vs of thecivtitin noninRitutionalized population. ~lesource ofdata, wmpling, and limitations

and qualifications of Data are given in the technical notes]

Race, sex, and age

Number of

present

regular

smokers in

thousands

Tar level of cigarettes smoked

Tota 11 Lass than 5-9 10-14 15-19 20 mg

5 mg m9 m9 mg or more

All races2 Percent distribution

Both sexes 17 years and over ......

17-24 years .............................................

25-44 ymrs .............................................

45-84 years ...................................... .......

65 years and over ....................................

Male 17 years and over ......................

17-24 years .............................................

25-44 years ................................. ............

45-64 years .................. ...........................

65 years and over ....................................

Female 17 years and over ..................

17-24 years ..............................m...... ........

25-44 years .............................................

45-64 years .............................................

65 years and over ....................................

White

17 years and over ..............................

17-24 years .............................................

25-44 years ...................................... .......

45-64 years .............................................

65 years and over ................................... .

Male ........................................................

Female ....................................................

Black

17 years and over ..............................

17-24 ymrs .............................................

25-44 years .............................................

45-64 years ...................................... .......

65 years and over ...................................

~le .......................................................

Female ...................................................

51,685 1Oo.c 4.2 7.5

5.9

7.6

7.8

9.5

6.2

17.1

19.4

18.1

15.2

12.6

13.5

61.4 9,8

10,224

21,992

15,723

3,746

27,151

1Oo.c

1 Oo.c

1Oo.c

1Oo.c

1Oo.c

1.3

4.1

4.9

9.6

3.3

71.8

62.6

64.7

53.2

63.5

1.6

1;::

15,1

13.6

5,176

11,615

8,199

2,161

24,535

1Oo.c

1Oo.c

1Oo.c

1Oo.c

1Oo.c

*0.8

3.4

3.1

9.0

5.2

4.9

6.9

5.8

6.8

8.9

13.4

14.9

12,2

10.6

21.1

78.5

63.E

55.9

55.0

59,1

2.4

11,1

23.0

18,7

5,7

*O,

3.

11, !0

10.5

5,048

10,377

7,524

1,585

45,200

1Oo.c

1Oo.c

1Oo.c

1Oo.c

100.0

*1.9

4.8

6.9

10.5

4.7

6.9

8.4

10.0

12.9

8.1

25.4

21.7

18.5

15.3

18.0

65,0

61.6

53.5

50.8

59.5

70.5

60.3

53.3

51.9

62.2

56,6

76.8

83.2

79.0

69.0

72,2

74.8

78.8

9.7

8,810

18,861

14,115

3,414

23,613

21,587

5,189

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

1.5

4.5

5.5

10.5

3.7

5.8

*0.5

6.5

8.5

8.2

9.6

6.6

9.6

2.8

20.0

19.3

16.1

13.5

14.4

21.9

9.6

12.8

10.2

*7.5

*4.2

5.6

13.7

*1,4

7.4

16.9

14.5

13.0

6.0

10,3

1,054

2,468

1,371

296

2,675

2,515

100.0

100.0

100.0

100,0

100.0

100.0

*.

*1.O

*.

*-

*-

*1.O

*2.7

*I .6

*4.5

*4.6

*2.7

*2.8

*I .4

8,3

19,1

*19.4

16,9

*3.7

lE~cl~des present smokers with unkncnvrr tar leveIs.

21ncludes all other races which are not shown separately.

NOTE When a figure is shown with an asterisk, it is presented only for the purpose of combining with other cells. An estimate has a

relative standard error of less than 30 percent when the aggregate is at least 125,000.

●
ackncedata 13

—

able 11. Number of present regular smokers 17 years and over and percent distribution by nicotine level of cigarettes smoked,

according to race, sex, and age: United States, 1978

[Data are based on household interviews of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. The source of data, sampling, and limitations

and qualifications of Data are given in the technical notes] I

I

I

●

Race, sex, and age

*

Al I races2

Both sexes 17 years and over .......

17-24 years.,., ................................... ......

25-44 years .............................................

45-64 years .............................................

65 years and over ...................................

Male 17 years and over ......................

17-24 years .............................................

25-44 years ........................................... ..

45-64 years .............. ...............................

65 years and over ....................................

Female 17 years and over ..................

@

‘7-24 years ,,, ,, ........................................

.44 years ................................ .............

5.64. years .............................................

65 years. and over....................................

White

17 years and over ..............................

17-24 years .............................................

25-44 years, ............................................

45-64 years ...... ........................... ............

65 years and over.., .... .............................

Male ........................................................

Female ....................................................

Black

17 years and over ...................... ........

.

J7-24 years ....................... ......................

25-44 years .............................................

45-64 years., ...........................................

65 years and oar . ..................................

Male ........................................................

Female ....................................................

Uumber of

present

regular

;mokers in

thousands

51,685

10,224

21,992

15,723

3,746

27,151

5,176

11,615

8,199

2,161

24,535

5,048

10,377

7,524

1,585

45,200

8,810

18,861

14,115

3,414

23,613

21,587

5,189

1,054

2,468

1,371

296

2,675

2,515

Nicotine level of cigarettes smoked

Total 1

Less than 0,5-0.9 1.0-1.19 1.2-1.39 1,4 mg

0.5 mg m9 m9 m9 or more

Percent distribution

‘“”olx=l==

100.0 1.3 28.5

100.0 4.3 28.2

100.0 5.1 24.5

100.0 10.0 22.8

100.011 3.3 \ 19.9

100.0 *0.8 18.3

100.0 3.6 22.1

100.0 3.1 18.3

100.0 9.0 17.4

100.0 I1 5.51 34.2

100.0 *1.9 38.9

100.0 5.1 34.9

100.0 7.2 31.0

100.0 11.3 29.8

100.0 4.9 28.2

100.0 1.5 29.8

100.0 4.8 30.1

100.0 5.7 25.7

100,0 10,9 23.8

100.0 3.7 21.3

100.0 6.1 35.7

100.0 *0.5 15.0

100.0 *.

100.0 *1.O

100.0 *.

100.0 *.

100.0I

*.

100.0 *1.0

16.7

15.7

13.9

*8,8

8.9

21.2

1~clude5 present a~okers with unknown nicotine levels.

Zrncludes all other races which are not shown separately.

34.6

41.0

35.1

30.0

32.1

36.6

47.1

37.5

29.3

33.7

32.3

34.8

32.6

30.7

30.0

35.1

44.0

35.0

30.2

32.5

37.5

32.5

27.7

18.2

30.2

29.8

*3 I .0

25.8

29.6

24.0

26.0

24.5

22.9

20.4

26.2

29.7

25,6

26.0

21.9

‘21.6

22.3

23.3

19.6

18.5

21.8

22.0

22.4

21.6

18,8

24.1

19.3

44.2

59.7

43.4

34.4

*4 I .2

46.7

41.7

10.3

3.1

7.9

17.5

14.7

14.0

4.1

11.3

23.2

18.0

6.4

*2.1

4.2

11.5

10.5

10.0

2.6

7.7

16.9

14.1

13.3

6.4

12.6

*5.4

9.7

22.0

*19.4

18.7

6.6

NOTE When a figure is ahown with an asterisk, it is presented only for the purpose of combining with other cells. An estimate has a

relative standard error of less than 30 percent when the aggregate is at least 125,000.
M achancedata

levels centers on the use of lower tar cigarettes– 0

percent) than men (23 percent) smoke these

defined for this report as those containing less cigarettes. Data also show that “lower tar cigthan 15 mg of tar—table 10 includes three lower arettes are used by a higher proportion of white

tar categories. Over one-fourth of adults who smokers (30. 8 percent) than black smokers (12.9

currently smoke (28.8 percent) use lower tar percent).

cigarettes. A higher proportion of women (35.2

SYMBOLS

Data not available---–— --------------------- ---

Category not applicable------------–--—-------—- . . .

Quantity zero -------------------------------------- -

Quantity more than O but less than 0.05 ----- 0.0

Figure does not meet standards of

reliability or precision (more than

30 percent relative standard error) ---------- *
adwlncedata 15

TECHNICAL NOTES

SOURCE OF DATA

.

The data presented in this report were obtained from household interviews in the Health

> Interview Survey. These interviews were conducted during the final 2 quarters of 1978 in a

probability sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United States.

During that period there were approximately

20,000 interviewed households containing about

55,000 persons. The cigarette smoking questions

were asked of each household member 17 years

of age and over who was identified as a “sample

person. ” This sub sample included approximately

12,000 persons. Sample persons were required

to answer the cigarette smoking questions for

themselves unless some physical or mental

health problem precluded their participation.

a SAMPLING

The sampling pattern for sample person

selection was based on the total number of related and unrelated household members. Sample persons (approximately a one-third subsample of the Health Interview Survey sample)

.

were selected by the interviewer at the time of

Table 1. Standard errors of estimates of aggregates

Size of estimate Standard error

in thousands in thousands

50, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

125, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

300 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

700 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20,000, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

30,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

50,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24

29

35

38

60

77

91

109

243

342

478

579

731

970

Table 11. Standard errors, expressed in percentage points, of

estimated percentages

Baseof percentage

in thousands

50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

300 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

700 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

30,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

50,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Estimated percentage

1- 25

;; ;;

1

6.8 10.7

5.8 9.0

4.8 7.5

2.8 4.3

2.2 3.4

1.8 2.8

1.5 2.4

0.7 1.1

0.5 0.8

0.3 0.5

0.3 0,4

0.2 0.3

0.2 0.2

10 20

50

:; :;

14.7 19.6 24.4

12.4 16.5 20.7

10.4 13.8 17.3

6.0 8.0 10.0

4.6 6.2 7.7

3.9 5.2 6.5

3.3 4.4 5.5

1.5 2.0 2.4

1.0 1.4 1.7

0.7 1.0 1.2

0.6 0.8 1.0

0,5 0,6 0.8

0.3 0.4 0.5

interview. T“o determine which household member to designate as a sample person, the interviewer referred to a preselected flashcard after

listing all related and unrelated persons in the

household on the questionnaire. The flashcard

contained, for each household size, one person

number or more that were to be identified as

sample persons.

Since the estimates shown are based on a

sample rather than on the entire population,

they are subject to sampling error. Standard

errors appropriate for estimates of the number

of persons are shown in table I; standard errors

appropriate for estimated percentages are shown

in table II.

LIMITATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS

OF DATA

All the limitations and qualifications that

apply in general to Health Interview Survey

data apply to the data shown in this report. A

fulI statement of these limitations and qualifications may be found in any report in Series 10 of

Vital and Health Statistics.
16 ackncedata ●

Recent Issues of Advance Data E-orn vital and Health Statistics

No. 51. Overweight Adults in the Uuited States No. 48. 1977 Summary: National Ambulatory Med-

(Issued: August 30, 1979) ical Care Survey (Issued: April 13, 1979)

No. 50. Office Vkits by Black Patients, National Am- No. 47. Prevalence, Disability, and Health Care for

bulatory Medicaf Care Survey: United States, Psoriasis Among Persons 1-74 Years: United

1975-76 (Issued: July 23, 1979) States (Issued: Aprif 3, 1979)

No. 49. Office Vkits for Family Planning, National

Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: United

States, 1977 (Issued: April 16, 1979)

A complete list of AdvrarceDataFrom Vital andHealthStatisticsis available from the Scientific and Technicil

Information Branch.

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