Table 3 Differences in cigarette smoking habits between White and Black adults - findings from the National Health Interview Survey for 2006^a

Among the whole population

Ever smoked (100 cigarettes)

49.9%

42.8%

38.2%

28.7%

Current smoker^b

23.7%

27.0%

18.5%

18.9%

Among ever smokers

Current smoker^b

47.5%

63.0%

48.4%

66.0%

Age of starting to smoke (mean, yrs)

16.9

18.4

17.9

19.2

Among current smokers ^b

Number smoked per day (mean)

16.1

11.4

13.9

10.0