The history of smoking in women differs significantly from that of men. In addition to appearing 25-30 years after the upsurge of smoking in men during the 1920's, the increase in smoking in women reflected differing initiation patterns, maintenance and cessation(quitting) methods. Smoking in women began to accelerate in the 1940s and 1950s, increasing from approximately 18% of women in 1935 to a peak of 33.4% in 1965. It remained at about that level until 1977, then began to decrease gradually to the current rate of 22.8%. Although more men than women now smoke, rates are approximating one another for both genders. Estimates are that female smokers could out number male smokers by the year 2000.

Initiation and Maintenance Patterns

Since 1977, smoking prevalence has been consistently higher for female high school seniors than males. Currently, these rates are approx 18.6% for males and 19.3% for females. During the 1970s and 1980s the use of smokeless tobacco increased dramatically among young males in the United States. Except for Native American females, who are as likely as males to use these products, regular use of smokeless tobacco is pointing to the need for careful attention to possible changes in female use patterns.

Interestingly, smoking among women does not appear to be affected by employment status. Moreover, occupational differences are less predictive of smoking for women than for men; to the extent that occupational differences in prevalence are noted, they seem to be linked to socio-economic status. Fewer Caucasian than African American women smoke (although African American women are lighter smokers), and fewer Hispanic than non-Hispanic women smoke. A much larger factor accounting for variation in smoking rates is education (a marker of socioeconomic status). Conclusively, for both genders, the less educated are most likely to smoke (regardless of gender).

5/29/98

Marlene M. Maheu, Ph.D. is the founding Director of the Nicotine Recovery Institute. She is the designer of the Nicotine Freedom System, and specializes in the treatment of nicotine-related disorders. Such disorders include underlying depression and anxiety. She has worked extensively with smokers and tobacco chewers in hospital, industrial, and private settings, and is available for individualized consultation and program design. Her program and materials have been developed after completion of her doctoral dissertation in smoking cessation, and following a decade of work with thousands of smokers. Through colorations with SelfhelpMagazine, she offers telephone based services for individuals and groups seeking freedom from nicotine in any form. For more information on this convenient application of her program, email her directly.