Exercise Attitudes and Behaviors: A Survey of Adults Age 50-79 - Aarp

Whether Have Ever Smoked
Characteristics of the Healthy
Nearly two-thirds (62%) of Americans 50-79 have smoked at some time in
their lives.
Not surprisingly, persons in “fair” or “poor” health are especially likely to
say they currently smoke (26% versus 16% in “very good” health, for
example).
More surprising, though, is the finding that persons who are in “very
good” and “fair/poor” health are about as likely to say they smoked at one
time but quit (42% and 39%, respectively), suggesting that many people
who quit smoking have a strong likelihood of overcoming the physical
damage suffered from smoking.
• 50-69 year-olds are most likely to be current smokers (22% versus 9%
of those 70-79).
• Men are more likely than women to say they have smoked (52%
versus 36%, respectively).
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