Which of the following groups within the U.S. population has the highest rate of smoking?

Among various demographic groups, the rate of smoking is notably highest among individuals with lower levels of education. Research shows that adults who have not completed high school are more likely to smoke compared to their college-educated counterparts. This suggests a correlation between educational attainment and smoking prevalence, which can be influenced by various socio-economic factors and access to health information. In addition to education, smoking rates are also significantly higher among individuals with certain mental health conditions. Studies reveal that individuals experiencing mental health challenges, such as schizophrenia or depression, often smoke at much higher rates, as they may use cigarettes as a form of self-medication or coping mechanism. This creates a dual challenge of addressing mental health and smoking cessation simultaneously.