CDC finds 8.3M fewer US smokers since 2010, Reuters finds 7.35M US vapers no longer smoke

[Bill Godshall]

Two surveys issued on Wednesday confirmed that vaping has sharply reduced the US smoking rate

New CDC NHIS data found US adult cigarette smoking rate declined from 19.3% in 2010 (i.e. 45.3 million) to a new record low 15.1% in 2015 (i.e. 37.0 million), a decline of 8.3 million smokers.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhis/earlyrelease/earlyrelease201605.pdf (see page 55)
Vital Signs: Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults Aged ≥18 Years --- United States, 2005--2010


Meanwhile, the new Reuters/IPSIS poll of US adults (conducted 4/19/16-5/16/16) found:
- 10.0% of US adults (i.e. 24.5 million of 245 million) currently use e-cigarettes or a personal nicotine vaporizer (including 12.8% of men, 7.4% of women, 15.1% of 18-34 year olds, 13.1% of 35-49 year olds,6.3% of 50-59 year olds, and 3.6% of 60 years or older)
U.S. e-cigarette use stalls as health concerns grow: Reuters/Ipsos poll
Follow the latest Reuters/Ipsos polls on everything from politics and elections, to social issues and current events.
http://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/rngs/1/1925/3590/USA-ECIGARETTES-POLL.jpg
- 30% of US adult e-cigarette users (i.e. 7.35 million) no longer smoke cigarettes,
- 62% of US adult e-cigarette users (i.e. 15.19 million) currently smoke cigarettes,
- 8% of US adult e-cigarette users (i.e. 1.96 million) never smoked cigarettes,
- Increasingly more adults inaccurately believe false fear mongering claims about vaping,
- 47% of US adults (38% in 2015) inaccurately believe e-cigs are as harmful as cigarettes,
- 43% of US adults (39% in 2015) inaccurately believe e-cigs don’t help smokers quit,
- 49% of US adults (42% in 2015) inaccurately believe e-cig aerosol is as harmful as 2nd hand cigarette smoke, and
- 66% of US adults (61% in 2015) believe e-cigs are addictive (despite no evidence).


But CDC's Brian King, a so-called smoking cessation specialist, and an unnamed AP reporter deceitfully spun CDC's finding to focus on the one year change from 2014 to 2015, to credit themselves and pre-2010 public policychanges for the recent declines in smoking, to demonize e-cigs yet again, and to praise the FDA's ban on lifesaving vaporproducts (while hiding the fact it bans the sale of nicotine e-cigs to adults).
U.S. smoking rate does something it hasn't in years
"Experts attribute recent declines decline to the mounting impact of anti-smoking advertising campaigns,cigarette taxes and smoking bans."
As today's teenage e-cigarette users become adults in the next few years,
"We may see 18-, 19- and 20-year olds pick up the habit," worried Dr. Jonathan Whiteson, a smokingcessation specialist at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York.

Then Legacy's Robin Koval (who has lobbied FDA to ban lifesaving vapor products since she replaced Cheryl Healton, who had lobbied for and defended FDA's unlawful 2009 e-cig ban in court) credited Legacy and CDC programs for the sharp decline in smoking, as well as smokefree workplacelaws (virtually all of which were enacted before 2010) and laws that raise the minimum age for tobacco and vapor sales to 21 (which have had zero impact on adult smoking rates).

Please note that CDC still hasn't released any 2015 NHIS data for e-cigarette use by adults. When that occurs, don’t expect those news headlines to be favorable to vaping
(as CDC has consistently demonized vaping since 2009 when the agency advocated and defended FDA’s unlawful e-cig ban).


Meanwhile, the Reuters news article downplayed all of the important findings of its poll at
U.S. e-cigarette use stalls as health concerns grow: Reuters/Ipsos poll

I noticed another thread citing the CDC findings, but it only focused on the awful AP article.

 

[Kent C]

Thanks for posting Bill. Side by side one could conclude that @90% of people who quit smoking are using ecigarettes. I know that's not accurate but more accurate than we get from the ANTZ.

A vendor submitting PMTAs could use these links to make their case.

 

[sofarsogood]

Two surveys issued on Wednesday confirmed that vaping has sharply reduced the US smoking rate

New CDC NHIS data found US adult cigarette smoking rate declined from 19.3% in 2010 (i.e. 45.3 million) to a new record low 15.1% in 2015 (i.e. 37.0 million), a decline of 8.3 million smokers.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhis/earlyrelease/earlyrelease201605.pdf (see page 55)
Vital Signs: Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults Aged ≥18 Years --- United States, 2005--2010


Meanwhile, the new Reuters/IPSIS poll of US adults (conducted 4/19/16-5/16/16) found:
- 10.0% of US adults (i.e. 24.5 million of 245 million) currently use e-cigarettes or a personal nicotine vaporizer (including 12.8% of men, 7.4% of women, 15.1% of 18-34 year olds, 13.1% of 35-49 year olds,6.3% of 50-59 year olds, and 3.6% of 60 years or older)
U.S. e-cigarette use stalls as health concerns grow: Reuters/Ipsos poll
Follow the latest Reuters/Ipsos polls on everything from politics and elections, to social issues and current events.
http://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/rngs/1/1925/3590/USA-ECIGARETTES-POLL.jpg
- 30% of US adult e-cigarette users (i.e. 7.35 million) no longer smoke cigarettes,
- 62% of US adult e-cigarette users (i.e. 15.19 million) currently smoke cigarettes,
- 8% of US adult e-cigarette users (i.e. 1.96 million) never smoked cigarettes,
- Increasingly more adults inaccurately believe false fear mongering claims about vaping,
- 47% of US adults (38% in 2015) inaccurately believe e-cigs are as harmful as cigarettes,
- 43% of US adults (39% in 2015) inaccurately believe e-cigs don’t help smokers quit,
- 49% of US adults (42% in 2015) inaccurately believe e-cig aerosol is as harmful as 2nd hand cigarette smoke, and
- 66% of US adults (61% in 2015) believe e-cigs are addictive (despite no evidence).


But CDC's Brian King, a so-called smoking cessation specialist, and an unnamed AP reporter deceitfully spun CDC's finding to focus on the one year change from 2014 to 2015, to credit themselves and pre-2010 public policychanges for the recent declines in smoking, to demonize e-cigs yet again, and to praise the FDA's ban on lifesaving vaporproducts (while hiding the fact it bans the sale of nicotine e-cigs to adults).
U.S. smoking rate does something it hasn't in years
"Experts attribute recent declines decline to the mounting impact of anti-smoking advertising campaigns,cigarette taxes and smoking bans."
As today's teenage e-cigarette users become adults in the next few years,
"We may see 18-, 19- and 20-year olds pick up the habit," worried Dr. Jonathan Whiteson, a smokingcessation specialist at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York.

Then Legacy's Robin Koval (who has lobbied FDA to ban lifesaving vapor products since she replaced Cheryl Healton, who had lobbied for and defended FDA's unlawful 2009 e-cig ban in court) credited Legacy and CDC programs for the sharp decline in smoking, as well as smokefree workplacelaws (virtually all of which were enacted before 2010) and laws that raise the minimum age for tobacco and vapor sales to 21 (which have had zero impact on adult smoking rates).

Please note that CDC still hasn't released any 2015 NHIS data for e-cigarette use by adults. When that occurs, don’t expect those news headlines to be favorable to vaping
(as CDC has consistently demonized vaping since 2009 when the agency advocated and defended FDA’s unlawful e-cig ban).


Meanwhile, the Reuters news article downplayed all of the important findings of its poll at
U.S. e-cigarette use stalls as health concerns grow: Reuters/Ipsos poll

I noticed another thread citing the CDC findings, but it only focused on the awful AP article.

If health authorities were encouraging switching the rate would probably be twice as high. The percent of dual users is not very informative if the number of vapers is increasing. I was a dual user for 6 weeks, a brother of mine for 10 months. My impression is if you don't stop vaping eventually you'll stop smoking. I argue that the money saved can be as important as lower risk of illness. When parents save money by not smoking the kids benefit the most. So, ironically, vaping is good for kids.

 

[Spazmelda]

The wording of the Reuters graphic is telling, "... And e-cigarette users frequently also smoke - or return to - conventional tobacco" Yet the percentage that "used to use conventional tobacco" absolutely blows away any percentage you'd get from nicorette or other 'approved' stop smoking methods (besides maybe cold turkey) doesn't it?

 

[Spazmelda]

If health authorities were encouraging switching the rate would probably be twice as high. The percent of dual users is not very informative if the number of vapers is increasing. I was a dual user for 6 weeks, a brother of mine for 10 months. My impression is if you don't stop vaping eventually you'll stop smoking. I argue that the money saved can be as important as lower risk of illness. When parents save money by not smoking the kids benefit the most. So, ironically, vaping is good for kids.

I dual used nicotine gum for about 8 years, lol. I used to use it to get through situations when I couldn't smoke; airplane/airport, car trips, family gatherings. It was a massively expensive crutch. Funny, now that I vape, I don't need to vape in these situations and I don't need a crutch. I can get through them easily with no nicotine. Before, even with the gum, I'd be climbing the wall needing a smoke.

 

[Spazmelda]

@Bill Godshall - What do you expect will happen with these numbers if the 'ban' goes through as it currently stands (no adjustment of grandfather date)?

 

[sofarsogood]

I dual used nicotine gum for about 8 years, lol. I used to use it to get through situations when I couldn't smoke; airplane/airport, car trips, family gatherings. It was a massively expensive crutch. Funny, now that I vape, I don't need to vape in these situations and I don't need a crutch. I can get through them easily with no nicotine. Before, even with the gum, I'd be climbing the wall needing a smoke.

You make a good point I hadn't thought of before. Of course there would be dual users of cigarettes, patches, and gum. I wonder why that isn't being condemned? Hmm...

 

[DC2]

You make a good point I hadn't thought of before. Of course there would be dual users of cigarettes, patches, and gum. I wonder why that isn't being condemned? Hmm...

It used to be that you weren't SUPPOSED to do that...
Nicotine Replacement Therapy Labels May Change

And now that the guidance has changed, none of the ANTZ show any sign of recognition.
Because to recognize the new guidance would be to ruin one of their arguments against us.

You would think you'd be hearing about it in Nicorette commercials.
But I have never once seen the new guidance being advertised.

 

[bobwho77]

How long will it take for Sherlock to get a CLUE?

 

[Kent C]

It used to be that you weren't SUPPOSED to do that...
Nicotine Replacement Therapy Labels May Change

And now that the guidance has changed, none of the ANTZ show any sign of recognition.
Because to recognize the new guidance would be to ruin one of their arguments against us.

You would think you'd be hearing about it in Nicorette commercials.
But I have never once seen the new guidance being advertised.

Likely dual use vapers put them on to the idea. While they have condemned dual usage as a gateway back to smoking, they have enough information now, that it is a gateway away from smoking. Although my guess (because of the vapor aspect), the successes for gum and patches will remain relatively flat, with people returning to smoking after 6-9 months of NTR - like most studies show.

 

[BuGlen]

Likely dual use vapers put them on to the idea. While they have condemned dual usage as a gateway back to smoking, they have enough information now, that it is a gateway away from smoking. Although my guess (because of the vapor aspect), the successes for gum and patches will remain relatively flat, with people returning to smoking after 6-9 months of NTR - like most studies show.

Agreed. The habitual (ritual) aspects of smoking are also address with vaping, but not with NRT products. I believe it's one of the reasons (along with self empowerment) that makes vaping so much more successful for what they call the hard core smokers.

 

[Kent C]

Agreed. The habitual (ritual) aspects of smoking are also address with vaping, but not with NRT products. I believe it's one of the reasons (along with self empowerment) that makes vaping so much more successful for what they call the hard core smokers.

Exactly right. vaping IS smoking minus the tar and other chems. An analogy for another habit - gambling, would be you still gamble but you eliminate losing

 

[DC2]

Exactly right. vaping IS smoking minus the tar and other chems. An analogy for another habit - gambling, would be you still gamble but you eliminate losing

I worked my way through college in part by gambling.

I was an expert on baseball, and poker was one of my strong suits.
Also, I would go to Vegas very frequently, and I counted cards.

I loved gambling. I loved the thrill and excitement. I loved risk and reward.
But when I started making real money I just lost interest in gambling.

The risk was gone, therefore the thrill was gone. therefore the excitement was gone.
Now I only gamble enough to try and get free drinks before dinner for myself and the wife.


But now that I am on zero nicotine, I vape just as much as before.
So for me anyway, the analogy doesn't seem to hold up.

But it's still a very good analogy.

 

[Kent C]

I worked my way through college in part by gambling.

9 ball pool here and euchre (Midwest card game not seen much elsewhere :- )

 

[DC2]

9 ball pool here and euchre (Midwest card game not seen much elsewhere :- )

Ah yes, pool was another one of my things.
At age 16 I was somewhat of a "pool shark" in the local pizza joint.

Had my own cue stick and everything.
But usually I just used an off-the-rack cue stick.

I still remember rolling them on the table to find the one that was least bent.


Pool is awesome.

There is motor skill, planning, foresight, composure, technique, and psychology.
It's like chess on a big green table.

 

[BuGlen]

Pool is awesome.

There is motor skill, planning, foresight, composure, technique, and psychology.
It's like chess on a big green table.

Don't forget geometry (angles) and basic physics (pressure & momentum)! My father bought a slate top pool table (Brunswick, I believe) when I was about 12 years old, and I feel in love with the game. When his friends from work came to the house, he would challenge them to play against me.

Ah yes, good times... Good times indeed!

 

[TVC70]

Don't worry about the decline of smoking. FDA is doing its damnedest to reverse this alarming trend...

 

[KODIAK (TM)]

Ah yes, pool was another one of my things. At age 16 I was somewhat of a "pool shark" in the local pizza joint.

Spent my entire Junior year of high school in a pool hall playing Snooker. (but oh... the makeup work that summer when the folks found out. ).

That skill kept me inebriated for mostly free throughout college. Those quarter tables in the bars with big-assed pockets and balls were too easy. These day though, I'm amazed when I can find a leg hole on my knickers without falling over.

 

[DC2]

Spent my entire Junior year of high school in a pool hall playing Snooker. (but oh... the makeup work that summer when the folks found out. ).

That skill kept me inebriated for mostly free throughout college. Those quarter tables in the bars with big-assed pockets and balls were too easy. These day though, I'm amazed when I can find a leg hole on my knickers without falling over.

Snooker?
Knickers?

 

[KODIAK (TM)]

Snooker?
Knickers?