An estimated 62 million Americans were current smokers in 1996, plus 6.8 million used smokeless tobacco, which means that nicotine is one of the most widely abused substances. Since 1975, nicotine in the form of cigarettes has consistently been the substance the greatest number of high school students use daily. Nicotine is one of the many chemicals found in the smoke from tobacco products. It is the primary component in tobacco that acts on the brain.
Cigarette smoking is the most prevalent form of nicotine addiction in the United States.
It is well documented that most smokers express a desire to cut back or stop. Nearly 35 million of them make a serious attempt to quit each year. Both of these rates are above the national average. Indiana ranks 2nd highest in smoking among the 50 states. Indiana ranks 6th highest in the nation for tobacco-related mortality.