Percentage of Smokers Trying to Quit Stays the Same

In most states, the percentage of smokers trying to quit stayed the same between 2011 and 2017, according to a new government report.

The rate of quit attempts increased steadily between 2001 and 2013 among U.S. smokers, HealthDay reports. Between 2011 and 2017, most states did not see any change in the rate of smokers who were trying to quit, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found.

On average, about 65% of current smokers said they had tried to quit at least once over the past year. Government guidelines have set a goal of 80%.

The researchers note most smokers make multiple attempts to quit before succeeding—as many as 30 on average. “Smokers should be encouraged to keep trying to quit until they succeed,” the researchers said. They urged health care providers to remind patients that despite barriers to quitting, three of five U.S. adults who ever smoked have quit successfully.