In real life:
Smoking Statistics in the United States
Smoking statistics in the United States indicate that 26 million men (25.7%) and about 23 million women (21%) smoke cigarettes. Smoking statistics for those people 18 years of age and older in the U.S. suggest these smoker estimates for the following ethnic groups:
Caucasians - 26% of all Caucasian men smoke while 22% of all Caucasian women smoke
Black or African Americans - 29% of all Black men smoke while 21% of Black women smoke
Hispanics - 24% of all Hispanic men smoke while 12% of all Hispanic women smoke
Asian and Pacific Islanders - 24% of all Asians smoke while 7% of all Asian women smoke
American Indians and Alaska Natives - 41% of all American Indians/Alaska native men smoke while the same percentage of women - 41% - smoke, as well
The American Heart Association reports additional smoking statistics that indicate that the lesser educated groups of America are more prone to higher percentages of smokers. For example, those with the least amount of education those educated between 9-11 years show that 35% of its masses smoke while the most educated group those educated 16 or more years show that just under 12% of its masses smoke cigarettes.
Outside of age demographics, there lies the class structure: smoking statistics indicate that 33% of all those living below the poverty level smoke cigarettes.
Ten years ago, in a study performed by The National Household Survey on Drug Abuse for the years ranging from 1988 to 1996, smoking statistics showed that first time use increased 30% for those aged 12-17 years and first daily use increased 50%. In addition, more than 6,000 people under the age of 18 years smoke a cigarette each day and 2,000 people in that age group are daily smokers.
Smoking Statistics - Study of Demographics Prone to Smoking