Smoking is responsible for 87 percent of lung cancers. The risk of dying of lung cancer is 22 times higher for male smokers and 12 times higher for female smokers than for people who have never smoked. Overall, smoking rates for African American, White and Hispanic men and women have significantly decreased since the 1960's and 1970's. For all ethnicities, men continue to have higher smoking rates than women. African American men have higher rates than Hispanic or White men.
White women have higher smoking rates than Hispanic or African American women.
For 1978-1991, current cigarette smokers include persons who reported smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lives and who reported at the time of survey that they currently smoked. For 1992 and 1993, current smokers include persons who reported smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lives and who reported at the time of survey that they currently smoked every day or on some days. For 1978-1991, current cigarette smokers include persons who reported smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lives and who reported at the time of survey that they currently smoked. For 1992 and 1993, current smokers include persons who reported smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lives and who reported at the time of survey that they currently smoked every day or on some days. Current smokers include persons who reported smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lives and who reported at the time of survey that they currently smoked every day or on some days.