2000 National Health Interview Survey results: age at which respondent became a regular smoker by birth cohort and sex
| Birth cohort | Year age 21 | Ever smoked 100 cigarettes | % regular smoker by 15 | % regular smoker by 18 | % regular smoker at 19–21 | % smokers not daily smokers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Males | ||||||
| 1970 | 1991 | 41.6 | 25.8 | 73.2 | 14.0 | 13.5 |
| 1971 | 1992 | 43.1 | 38.9 | 76.2 | 8.3 | 12.1 |
| 1972 | 1993 | 36.2 | 30.2 | 74.6 | 11.1 | 25.6 |
| 1973 | 1994 | 41.5 | 37.3 | 78.3 | 14.3 | 20.0 |
| 1974 | 1995 | 40.7 | 33.1 | 80.3 | 13.8 | 16.8 |
| 1975 | 1996 | 45.0 | 25.6 | 74.8 | 17.0 | 19.8 |
| 1976 | 1997 | 43.9 | 31.9 | 73.8 | 20.2 | 11.1 |
| 1977 | 1998 | 44.7 | 26.5 | 67.4 | 24.5 | 22.9 |
| Females | ||||||
| 1970 | 1991 | 33.2 | 32.2 | 60.1 | 18.2 | 15.6 |
| 1971 | 1992 | 34.1 | 25.7 | 65.3 | 20.5 | 15.4 |
| 1972 | 1993 | 28.3 | 24.7 | 72.0 | 22.0 | 18.9 |
| 1973 | 1994 | 32.1 | 29.1 | 76.3 | 16.3 | 19.2 |
| 1974 | 1995 | 34.7 | 32.0 | 77.8 | 13.3 | 17.0 |
| 1975 | 1996 | 39.4 | 32.6 | 72.3 | 18.6 | 23.2 |
| 1976 | 1997 | 34.4 | 27.8 | 75.3 | 17.1 | 23.3 |
| 1977 | 1998 | 39.8 | 26.0 | 73.6 | 19.2 | 19.0 |