Smoking bans have spread across the country. In 2005 six states (Georgia, Montana, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington) passed stronger smoke-free air laws. All 50 states and Washington, D.C. have some type of law banning smoking in certain places, ranging from designated smoking areas to complete bans in restaurants and other facilities.
As of January 1, 2006, nine states were considered "smoke-free" -- California, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
Educational Level
A major U.S. government study reported that people who have not graduated from high school or received their General Education Development (GED) certificate tend to have higher smoking rates than those who attended college.
Rate of current cigarette smoking in the United States in 2003 for adults 25 years of age and over, according to education:
- No high school diploma or GED: 29.7%
- High school diploma or GED: 27.8%
- Some college, no bachelor’s degree: 21.1%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.2%
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey
Psychologic Factors
People with low self-esteem and adolescents with behavioral problems have a higher risk for smoking. Men and women with mental disorders are 50% more likely to smoke than those without such illness.
For example, depression and schizophrenia are known risk factors for smoking. Both may actually have biologic effects that are responsible for this higher risk.
Genetic Factors
Evidence now strongly supports the idea that genes play a role in a person's dependence on nicotine. Researchers are now targeting specific genes that may be responsible for nicotine dependence. So far, it has been shown that there is a common genetic vulnerability to both nicotine and alcohol dependence.
Economic Factors
Some studies suggest that the cheaper it is to buy cigarettes and smoke, the more widespread smoking will be. For example, states that have low taxes on cigarettes have a high proportion of smokers. Making it more expensive to smoke may reduce the number of smokers.
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