To Smoke or Not

--There are about 50 million smokers in the United States, according to the U.S. surgeon general, and 38 million of them want to quit. But in 1992 there were still 510 billion cigarettes sold, and retail sales totaled $41.5 billion in the United States.

Marlboro remains the top brand

Market share for U.S. brands of cigarettes in 1991: Marlboro

Winston

Salem

Newport

Doral

Kool

Camel

Benson & Hedges

Merit

Virginia Slims

Others

Source: Maxwell Consumer Report

But fewer cigarettes are being smoked

Per capita annual consumption of cigarettes in the United States, based on population 18 and older

Source: Department of Agriculture

With the decline in cigarette consumption, the smoking cessation market continues to expand:

Of the 18 million smokers who attempt to quit each year, about 4.25 million of them are involved in a smoking cessation program or purchase related products. With the recent introduction of the nicotine skin patch to help smokers quit, the smoking cessation industry as a whole may double its revenue this year over 1991 revenue.

The smoking cessation market includes products such as nicotine gum, skin patches and kits and services such as clinics, hypnosis and acupuncture. Source: Marketdata Enterprises Inc. of Valley Stream , New York Researched by Brenton Wyeth / Los Angeles Times