U.S. Smoking Down Sharply Among Young People

     Gallup reports the reduction is in virtually all age groups, though the biggest drop was among18-29 years olds during the last decade. 12% fewer cigarette smokers!
     Yet the smoking of cigars is up. In fact young men are the most frequent  new cigar smokers:

An American Cancer Society report found that while cigars have previously been associated with older adults, most new cigar users are in fact young adults. Additionally, the CDC found that the greater appeal of cigar smoking among 18- to 29-year-olds may be attributed to the use of flavoring in many brands, and the fact that some cigars are less costly than cigarettes because state and local governments tax them differently. Furthermore, the popularity of specialty cigar shops may encourage social smoking and a connoisseur culture that is especially appealing to young adults.

     I might also refer back to my post about the limited encouragement of cigar smoking by The University of Alabama.

  Still,  almost 30% of Alabama's 18-29 year olds smoke cigarettes!