Cigarette smoking among women of reproductive age--United States, 1987-1992.

Women who smoke cigarettes are at increased risk for lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and complications of oral contraceptive use. During pregnancy, cigarette smoking increases the risks for a low birthweight infant and infant mortality. A national health objective for the year 2000 is to reduce cigarette smoking among women of reproductive age (i.e., 18-44 years) to a prevalence of no more than 12% (objective 3.4h)(1). This goal is substantially lower than the estimated baseline prevalence of 29% measured by CDC's 1987 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). To characterize recent trends in cigarette smoking and monitor progress toward the year 2000 objective, data from the NHIS for 1987 through 1992 were analyzed for women aged 18-44 years.