By Mike Strobbe
The U.S. decline in cigarette smoking could be stalling while the adult vaping rate appears to be rising, according to a government report released Thursday.
About 14% of U.S adults were cigarette smokers last year, the third year in a row the annual survey found that rate. But health officials said a change in the methodology make it hard to compare that to the same 14% reported for 2017 and 2018.
The adult smoking rate last saw a substantial drop in 2017, when it fell from 16% the year before.
The new figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mean there are more than 34 million adult smokers in the U.S.
Meanwhile, about 4.5% of adults were counted as current e-cigarette users last year — about 11 million people.
That rate appears to be up from 3.2% in 2018 and 2.8% in 2017. But again, officials said that comparing 2019 with earlier years is difficult because of the survey change.
The CDC figures are based on responses from about 32,000 people.
Health officials have long called tobacco use the nation's leading cause of preventable disease and death.
The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Once COVID-19 hit, the demand for mental health services skyrocketed, and with in-person care suspended, many turned to digital services — which led to a disturbing breach of data privacy.
Quaoar, a dwarf planet with a ring, has some astronomers scratching their heads over its much wider than expected ring system.
More details are emerging out of East Palestine, Ohio with officials discovering three additional chemicals following the Norfolk Southern train derailment and controlled burn of hazardous materials.
An Obama-era change to school lunches could be linked to a drop in childhood obesity rates, a new study suggests.
Teen girls are experiencing record levels of sadness, according to a report from the CDC.
A study by the Pew Research Center found that three in 10 Americans are single and nearly half of them are turning to dating apps to find companionship.
Seonghoon Woo, CEO of Amogy, joined Cheddar News to discuss its ammonia-powered, zero-emission semi-truck in an effort to de-carbonize transportation.
NASA is launching a scientific mission to Mars using Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket.
The CDC is recommending Covid vaccines be included in routine shots for adults and children.
A Texas judge extended a legal deadline in a case that could strip millions of women of access to abortion pills.
