Final answer:
In the U.S., men have historically smoked at higher rates than women, with a correlated increase in lung cancer deaths following the rise in cigarette consumption among men.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the United States, the rate at which women and men smoke has historically shown that men smoke at higher rates than women. From the information available, it can be discerned that the smoking rates among men began to decline in the 1950s, and a significant decrease in lung cancer deaths followed roughly 20 years thereafter. This delay is due to the time it takes for the health risks associated with smoking, such as lung cancer, to manifest.
Further data from the mid-1900s illustrate a direct correlation between cigarette consumption in men and the risk of dying from lung cancer, with a noted latency period before the onset of such health consequences. Additionally, gender stratification in the U.S. is observed in multiple areas, including health outcomes related to lifestyle choices such as smoking. While the rates of smoking have declined overall in Western countries, including the U.S., the historical trend suggests that men have smoked more than women.