Final answer:
Approximately 13% of Americans over age 18 are current smokers, thus the correct option is B.
Explanation:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of 2019, the percentage of adult smokers in the United States was approximately 13%. This number has been steadily declining over the years due to increased awareness of the negative health effects of smoking and the implementation of public health policies aimed at reducing smoking rates.
To arrive at this answer, we can use simple mathematical calculations. According to the US Census Bureau, the estimated population of the United States in 2019 was approximately 328 million. Of this, about 76% were over the age of 18, which gives us a total of approximately 249 million adults. Now, if we assume that the given options (10%, 13%, 16%, and 20%) are percentages of the total adult population, we can multiply each option by 249 million to get the number of current smokers in the United States.
10% of 249 million = 24.9 million
13% of 249 million = 32.4 million
16% of 249 million = 39.8 million
20% of 249 million = 49.8 million
From these calculations, we can see that approximately 32.4 million adults in the United States are current smokers, which is closest to the given option of 13%. This number may seem high, but it is important to note that it has significantly decreased from previous years. In 2005, the percentage of adult smokers was approximately 21%, which means that there has been a 38% decrease in smoking rates over the past 15 years.
The decline in smoking rates can be attributed to various factors, including increased public health campaigns, stricter tobacco control policies, and the availability of smoking cessation programs. These efforts have been successful in reducing the number of smokers in the United States and have also led to a decrease in smoking-related illnesses and deaths.
In conclusion, approximately 13% of Americans over the age of 18 are current smokers. This number has been steadily declining over the years, thanks to various public health initiatives. While it is still a significant number, it is a positive sign that more and more people are choosing to quit smoking and lead healthier lives.