US adult smoking rate dips to 17 percent

(AP)

A new government report says the smoking rate for U.S. adults continues to fall.

The smoking rate dropped to 17 percent last year, down from about 18 percent in 2013.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the findings Tuesday, based on a large national survey.

The smoking rate has been falling for decades. Experts attribute recent declines decline to anti-smoking advertising campaigns, cigarette taxes, smoking bans, and the growing popularity of electronic cigarettes and other alternatives to traditional cigarettes.

Smoking is the nation's leading cause of preventable illness.

The smoking rate was about 15 percent for the first three months of this year. However, beginning-of-the-year survey data tends to be skewed by the temporary impact of New Year's resolutions.