An estimated 50 million Americans were current smokers in 1993. This represents a smoking rate of 24 percent for the population age 12 and older. Current cigarette smoking declined from 26 percent to 24 percent between 1992 and 1993.
Current smokers are more likely to be heavy drinkers and illicit drug users.
Among nonsmokers, only 3.4 percent were heavy drinkers and 3.5 percent were illicit drug users. Rates were 24 percent among adults age 35 and older and 10 percent among 12-17 year olds. More than 2 million 12-17 year olds were smokers in 1993. Decreases in smoking since 1985 were apparent in every age group. However, rates for 12-17 year olds appear to have stabilized, as the rate was 9.6 percent in both 1992 and 1993.