Older adults tend to be former smokers who smoked for decades

Half of all men aged 65 and older — and almost a third of women in that age group — were former smokers, according to new CDC data. The new report, based on 2018 survey data, found that 40% of all those aged 65 and over were former smokers, compared to 8% who were current smokers and more than 52% who had never smoked. The report also found that more than half the former smokers in the older age group smoked for 25 or more years, while a quarter reported smoking for 40 or more years before quitting. Consistent with previous reporting, these former smokers were also more likely to report being in fair or poor health, have COPD, and four or more chronic conditions.