The U.S. Centers for Disease and Control Prevention reported smoking decreased in the U.S. from 20.9% in 2005 to 14% in 2019. The U.S. also saw the lowest number of cigarette smokers ages 18 to 25. Despite the reported decrease in smoking, Rizzo said, other data remains high because nicotine is one of the most addictive substances. He noted the early adoption of smoking in teens makes quitting difficult later in life. Roughly 89% of smokers become addicted by age 25, and the study’s authors said there needs to be a targeted focus on young people, the Guardian reported.
Rizzo’s added nicotine addiction must be tackled with multiple interventions, including pharmacologic and counseling support. But he said health care coverage for medications and counseling might not be accessible to everyone. Many smokers use nicotine as a stress reliever. Rizzo said the past year has brought on job, family, and relationship stressors that can make quitting harder. Rizzo and the study’s lead author, Marissa Reitsma, agree smoking won’t end anytime soon. “Young people are particularly vulnerable to addiction, and with high rates of cessation remaining elusive worldwide, the tobacco epidemic will continue for years to come unless countries can dramatically reduce the number of new smokers starting each year,” Reitsma told The Guardian.
The study estimated the prevalence of smoking in 204 countries, with 113 seeing an increase in smokers since 1990. The study also said smoking was likely to increase over the following decades, and tobacco control policies were needed to increase life expectancy and decrease health care costs. New tobacco control policies have been introduced over the past few years. In April, the Biden administration announced a plan to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. “Banning menthol – the last allowable flavor – in cigarettes and banning all flavors in cigars will help save lives, particularly among those disproportionately affected by these deadly products,” Dr. Janet Woodcock, acting head of the Food and Drug Administration, said in a statement.
“With these actions, the FDA will help significantly reduce youth initiation, increase the chances of smoking cessation among current smokers, and address health disparities experienced by communities of color, low-income populations, and LGBTQ+ individuals, all of whom are far more likely to use these tobacco products.” And in 2019, President Donald Trump signed legislation to raise the federal minimum age for the sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21. Despite the “unsurprising” trends found in the study, Rizzo said, tobacco use will decrease with government and societal pressure and effort. “We can’t relax our efforts despite any numbers or studies. We need to do everything we can to decrease the smoking prevalence.” Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. Email: [email protected].