Cigarette Smoking in U.S. Drops to Record Low

Cigarette smoking among Americans has reached an all-time low, with only 11% of adults reporting they smoked in the past week, according to a recent Gallup poll. The decline is particularly pronounced among younger demographics, with only 6% of those under 30 smoking. Meanwhile, e-cigarette use is rising, especially among young adults, with 18% of those aged 18-29 reporting recent vaping. In a related development, smoking rates among pregnant women in the North West of England have also dropped significantly, with only 8.4% smoking at the end of their pregnancy this year, down from 10.3% last year. The NHS attributes this decline to increased access to quitting support services for expectant mothers. Both trends highlight a growing public awareness of the dangers of smoking and efforts to reduce its prevalence.