U.S. Smoking Rates Stuck at 1 Out of 5

Despite many years of public education on the risks of tobacco, U.S. smoking rates remain at about 1 out of 5, researchers report. The rate is similar for both teens and adults. The adult rate has held steady for about 6 years. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the smoking report September 7. It was based on government surveys. A second CDC study focused on secondhand smoke. It found that 98% of children who live with a smoker have toxins in their bodies. This study looked at blood levels of cotinine, a chemical from tobacco smoke, in more than 30,000 nonsmokers. It also found that more than half of U.S. children ages 3 to 11 are exposed to secondhand smoke. The Associated Press (AP) wrote about the reports. Officials interviewed by AP said the fight against smoking has lost momentum.