By Cecilia Chan
Independent Newsmedia
Fewer adults smoked in 2017 than ever recorded in the United States, which is good news given that more than 480,000 people or one in five die every year due to cigarette use, according to a report released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The percentage of adults 18 and older who smoked in 2017 was 13.95 percent, down from 15.8 percent or more than 15 of every 100 U.S. adults the year prior, according to the report.
“It’s the lowest level we’ve observed since 1965, which is quite exceptional,” said Dr. Brian King, deputy director of CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health. “It’s a remarkable decline and a health win. We are hopeful it will continue and we get the rate of smoking to the lowest level possible, zero if possible.”
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