Anti-smoking efforts may have stalled

November 12, 2009 A new report shows hardly any recent change in smoking rates. Federal officials say the rate seems to have even risen a bit for the first time in almost 15 years.

A little under 21 percent of Americans were current cigarette smokers, according to a 2008 national survey, up slightly from the year before when the rate was at 19.8.

The increase was so small it could just be a blip, so health officials say smoking prevalence is flat, not rising. But they are not happy.

The report is published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publication Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.