The report "Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults — United States, 2005–2013" by Ahmed Jamal et al. examines the prevalence of cigarette smoking among U.S. adults from 2005 to 2013. Despite progress, cigarette smoking remains a significant public health issue, causing over 480,000 premature deaths and $289 billion in annual healthcare costs. The study used data from the 2013 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to assess the progress toward the Healthy People 2020 target of reducing the proportion of U.S. adults who smoke cigarettes to ≤12.0%. Key findings include: - The proportion of U.S. adults who smoke cigarettes declined from 20.9% in 2005 to 17.8% in 2013. - The proportion of daily smokers decreased from 16.9% to 13.7%. - Among daily smokers, the average number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) decreased from 16.7 to 14.2. - Cigarette smoking prevalence was higher among certain demographic groups, including males, younger adults, multiracial or American Indian/Alaska Native individuals, less educated individuals, those living below the poverty level, residents of the South or Midwest, individuals with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) adults. - LGB adults had a higher smoking prevalence (26.6%) compared to straight adults (17.6%). The report emphasizes the importance of continued implementation of effective public health interventions, such as increasing tobacco prices, enforcing comprehensive smoke-free laws, conducting high-impact anti-tobacco media campaigns, and improving access to smoking cessation assistance. These interventions have been shown to reduce smoking prevalence and related health disparities. However, the report also highlights limitations, including the self-reported nature of smoking status and the exclusion of institutionalized populations and transgender individuals. Despite these limitations, the findings underscore the need for sustained and comprehensive state tobacco control programs to accelerate progress toward reducing tobacco-related morbidity and mortality.The report "Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults — United States, 2005–2013" by Ahmed Jamal et al. examines the prevalence of cigarette smoking among U.S. adults from 2005 to 2013. Despite progress, cigarette smoking remains a significant public health issue, causing over 480,000 premature deaths and $289 billion in annual healthcare costs. The study used data from the 2013 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to assess the progress toward the Healthy People 2020 target of reducing the proportion of U.S. adults who smoke cigarettes to ≤12.0%. Key findings include: - The proportion of U.S. adults who smoke cigarettes declined from 20.9% in 2005 to 17.8% in 2013. - The proportion of daily smokers decreased from 16.9% to 13.7%. - Among daily smokers, the average number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) decreased from 16.7 to 14.2. - Cigarette smoking prevalence was higher among certain demographic groups, including males, younger adults, multiracial or American Indian/Alaska Native individuals, less educated individuals, those living below the poverty level, residents of the South or Midwest, individuals with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) adults. - LGB adults had a higher smoking prevalence (26.6%) compared to straight adults (17.6%). The report emphasizes the importance of continued implementation of effective public health interventions, such as increasing tobacco prices, enforcing comprehensive smoke-free laws, conducting high-impact anti-tobacco media campaigns, and improving access to smoking cessation assistance. These interventions have been shown to reduce smoking prevalence and related health disparities. However, the report also highlights limitations, including the self-reported nature of smoking status and the exclusion of institutionalized populations and transgender individuals. Despite these limitations, the findings underscore the need for sustained and comprehensive state tobacco control programs to accelerate progress toward reducing tobacco-related morbidity and mortality.