U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for October 21

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21: CIGARETTES

Profile America — Friday, October 21st.  One of the nation's most successful brand names went on sale for the first time on this date in 1913 — Camel cigarettes, the first pre-blended, packaged cigarettes.  Before that, smokers had to roll one themselves when they wanted to light up.  By 1919, U.S. society was changing rapidly, and with increasing advertising, cigarettes overtook pipe tobacco in the number of pounds consumed.  Now, about 18.5 percent of American adults smoke.  Across the country, the highest rate of smoking, just under 27 percent, is in West Virginia, followed closely by Indiana.  The lowest rate is in Utah at just over 9 percent.  No other state is in the single digits.  You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources:  www.tobacco.org

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2011, t. 201

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).  

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau