MMWR – Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

1. Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults — United States, 2011

CDC
Division of News & Electronic Media
404-639-3286

The report underscores the need to fully implement effective actions to successfully reduce smoking and all tobacco use. In 2011, an estimated 19.0 percent (43.8 million) of U.S. adults were current cigarette smokers. During 2005-2011, the proportion of U.S. adults who were current smokers declined from 20.9 percent to 19.0 percent. However, no significant change occurred between 2010 (19.3 percent) and 2011 (19.0 percent). Among adult daily smokers, the percentage who smoke 30 or more cigarettes per day dropped from 12.6 percent in 2005 to 9.1 percent in 2011, and the percent who smoke 1–9 cigarettes per day increased from 16.4 percent to 22.0 percent during the same period. For the first time, the report includes data on smoking among persons with self-reported disabilities. In 2011, smoking was higher among those who reported having any disability (25.4 percent) compared to those who reported having no disability (17.3 percent). Although a slight overall decline in smoking has occurred among U.S. adults since 2005, the prevalence remains higher than the Healthy People 2020 target of less than or equal to 12 percent. A combination of smoke-free laws, tobacco price increases, access to proven quitting treatments and services, and hard-hitting media campaigns will reduce health care costs and save lives.

2. Energy Drink Consumption and Its Association with Sleep Problems Among U.S. Service Members on Combat Deployment — Afghanistan, 2010

CDC
Division of News & Electronic Media
404-639-3286

Energy drinks can be associated with sleep problems and daytime sleepiness and should be consumed in moderation. An Army study reports that 45 percent of service members consumed greater than or equal to 1 energy drink daily and 14 percent consumed greater than or equal to 3 daily while deployed. Those drinking greater than or equal to 3 energy drinks a day were more likely to get less than or equal to 4 hours of sleep a night, report sleep disruptions related to personal and combat stress and illness, and to fall asleep during briefs or on guard duty than those drinking less than or equal to 2. This study highlights: (1) the high levels of energy drink consumption during combat operations, (2) the association with sleep problems and sleepiness during combat operations, (3) the need to educate soldiers regarding the potential adverse effects of excessive energy drink consumption on sleep and mission performance, and (4) the need for moderation of energy drink consumption.

3. Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication — Nigeria, January 2011–September 2012

CDC
Division of News & Electronic Media
404-639-3286

Continuing wild poliovirus (WPV) transmission in Nigeria poses an ongoing risk for WPV reintroduction into polio-free countries and is a major obstacle to the success of global eradication. Nigeria is one of the three remaining countries (the others are Afghanistan and Pakistan) in which indigenous WPV transmission has never been interrupted. The number of WPV cases in northern Nigeria nearly tripled in 2011 compared with 2010. This was also seen in the first 9 months of 2012 when compared with the same period in 2011. Continuing WPV transmission in Nigeria poses an ongoing risk for WPV reintroduction into polio-free countries and is a major obstacle to the success of global eradication. During 2012, many measures outlined in Nigeria’s 2012 polio eradication emergency plan have been taken and field staffs have been added to improve the planning and performance of vaccine campaigns. While transmission has not been interrupted, campaign quality has started to improve. If WPV case counts and extent of circulation are not reduced substantially by mid-2013, additional innovative strategies to interrupt WPV transmission might need to be considered.

###
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES