Cigarette smoking among adults--United States, 1999.

One of the national health objectives for 2010 is to reduce the prevalence of cigarette smoking among adults from 24% in 1998 to < or = 12% (objective 27.1a). To assess progress toward this objective, CDC analyzed self-reported data from the 1999 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) about cigarette smoking among U.S. adults. This report summarizes the findings of this analysis, which indicate that, in 1999, approximately 23.5% of adults were current smokers, representing a modest decline in prevalence since 1993. If states were to invest resources consistent with CDC recommendations and implement proven interventions, the decline in cigarette smoking could be accelerated.