Most of the inhaled compounds are retained in the lungs. Once nicotine is absorbed into the lungs, it reaches the brain within seconds-twice as fast as mainlined heroin. For every 10 percent increase in the price of tobacco products, it is estimated that tobacco consumption would decline four percent. In 1996, the number of current smokers in the US was 62 million. This includes intermittent smokers as well as those who smoke every day.
Smoking prevalence is highest among men who have dropped out of school.
Thirty-seven percent of adults who have not completed high school smoked cigarettes versus 17 percent of college graduates. Over 80 percent of adults who have smoked started smoking daily before age 18. By age 18, about three-fourths of adolescents have tried smoking. Users usually put a golf ball-size wad of tobacco in the pouch of their cheek and suck on it. The user spits frequently to get rid of the tobacco.