Question

Between 1963 and today, the per capita consumption of cigarettes in the U.S. population age 18 and older.:

a. has increased
b. has decreased
c. has remained stable
d. has fluctuated wildly and randomly from year to year
e. remains unknown

Answer 1

The per capita consumption of cigarettes in the U.S. population age 18 and older has decreased since 1963 due to increased awareness of health risks and public health initiatives.

Step-by-step explanation:

Between 1963 and today, the per capita consumption of cigarettes in the U.S. population age 18 and older has decreased. This trend can be attributed to the increasing awareness of the health risks associated with smoking, as well as the implementation of public health policies designed to reduce smoking rates. For instance, after the U.S. Surgeon General's report in 1964 linked cigarette smoking with diseases such as lung cancer, warning labels were mandated on cigarette packs. Subsequently, various anti-smoking campaigns and measures have been introduced, contributing to a societal shift away from tobacco use. Additionally, the increase in disposable income has not necessarily led to a rise in cigarette consumption, demonstrating that factors such as health consciousness can outweigh economic capability when it comes to the purchase of harmful goods. Moreover, the strong correlation between increased cigarette consumption and higher rates of lung cancer has reinforced public health initiatives to lower smoking rates, which has been successful in leading to a major decline in smoking over the years.