Smoking incidence at all-time low...

July 30, 2007 - Smoking incidence at all-time low. Just 21% of people in the US said they had smoked in the previous week when Gallup conducted a poll from July 12 to 15, according to a report by Gallup’s Jeffrey M. Jones. This was the lowest percentage recorded since Gallup starting researching this issue 60 years ago, though statistically speaking it is considered equivalent to the 22% of 2004 and the 23% recorded in each of 1999 and 2006. Since 1999, more than 50% of smokers have reported smoking less than one pack of cigarettes a day, and this year the figure was 55%. But those smokers who continue with their habit are starting to want to call time on smoking restrictions. Asked by Gallup if they felt unjustly discriminated against as smokers, or whether they thought restrictions on smoking in public places were justified, 47% said they felt unjustly discriminated against. In 2001, this figure was about 33%. Also, whereas six years ago 66% of smokers said they thought that public smoking restrictions were justified, this year that figure is down to 51%. (Tobacco Reporter)From Altria Group, Inc. Reports: 2007 2nd quarter results - PM USA's cigarette shipment volume of 45.6 billion units was 3.3% or 1.6 billion units lower than that recorded in the prior-year period. In the first half of 2007, PM USA estimates that total cigarette industry volume declined between 4% and 5%, and for the full year 2007 PM USA is maintaining its prior estimate of a 3% to 4% decline in total cigarette industry volume.