Final answer:
Changes in public policy, such as smoking bans and taxation, have had a significant impact on smoking rates in the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
Changes in public policy have had a significant impact on smoking rates in the United States. Government regulations banning smoking in enclosed spaces and public places, as well as increasing taxes on tobacco products, have helped reduce smoking prevalence. For example, the introduction of warning labels on cigarette packs in 1965, following the U.S. Surgeon General's report on the link between smoking and diseases like lung cancer, played a role in raising awareness about the harms of smoking. Additionally, lawsuits against tobacco companies led to financial settlements and annual payments to states for healthcare costs related to smoking, incentivizing states to implement anti-smoking policies.