Cigarette smoking still a huge problem in the U.S.

A 40-year decline in smoking has stalled with 20.6% of Americans 18 and older being current smokers, according to data from the 2009 National Health Interview Survey and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Although the smoking rate for U.S. teens is continuing to decline, the rate of the decline has also slowed, the CDC reported in July. Twenty percent of high school students still smoke.

Furthermore, more than half of all children are exposed to toxic, secondhand smoke and 98% of those who live with a smoker have measurable levels of toxic chemicals in their blood stream. These children are more prone to pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, and decreased lung function.

The data does show prevalence of smoking declines with a person’s level of education. Fewer than six percent of adults with a graduate degree smoke compared to more than 25 percent of adults with no high school diploma.

The CDC says that within five years there would be 5 million fewer smokers in the U.S. if all states followed the their guidelines for tobacco control programs.

Across the U.S, a mere $700 million was spent last year on tobacco control. Comparatively, the tobacco industry spent $12 billion, 35 times as much on the marketing and promotion of smoking.