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Smoking nationally ticked upward among virtually all ethnic and age groups in 2008, but remained significantly below levels of a decade ago, the Centers for Disease Control reports.

Overall, 20.6% of the population reported smoking, up from 19.8% in 2007.

Prevelance was far higher among people whose income was below poverty level, at 31.5%, and people with no college education, as this chart shows.

In its latest mortality and morbity report, the Centers for Disease Control states:

Prevalence variations by education level are likely related to differences in understanding of the health hazards of smoking and differences in receptivity to smoking-related health messages. Moreover, persons with higher levels of education might have a better understanding of the health hazards of smoking and might be more receptive to health messaging about the dangers of smoking.