U.S. Smokers Kick Habit at Rapid Rate

Americans are rejecting the smoking habit at a surprisingly rapid rate, a trend that is going global.

But there are signs of increased smoking in poor countries and among teenagers and young women in several countries, and deaths blamed on smoking still are rising worldwide.

U.S. cigarette exports are down 25%, with 50 billion fewer cigarettes sent abroad in just one year.

The number of cigarettes sold per person in the United States fell a record 8% last year, according to government data and an analysis by Worldwatch, an environmental research group. That analysis also cites per-capita declines in some of the heaviest smoking countries: France, Japan and China. The anti-smoking campaign credits smoking bans and increased awareness of smoking’s dangers.

The Agriculture Department also cites higher taxes and price increases.