CNBC Quiz: The History of Tobacco
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Click ahead to see what else you might and might not know about tobacco.
Posted 24 February 2011
Which continent(s) consumes the most cigarettes?
- Europe
- Asia
- Americas
- Africa
Asia
Note: According to the World Lung Foundation, 12 million cigarettes are smoked in the world EVERY MINUTE.
The United States, China, Russia and Japan are in the top five countries in terms of smoking consumption. Name the other country in the top five.
- Australia
- France
- India
- Indonesia
Indonesia
NOTE: There are more smokers in China (320 million) than people in the United States (308 million).
When was the first cigarette-rolling machine invented?
- 1881
- 1850
- 1912
- 1788
1881
NOTE: James Bonsack is credited with the invention, although the early machines could only roll four cigarettes per minute.
China is the world's largest tobacco producer (as well as consumer). Who is No. 2?
- India
- United States
- Indonesia
- Brazil
Brazil
NOTE: There are more than 130,000 farmers growing tobacco in Brazil. The United States is fourth behind China, Brazil and India.
More than half the cigarettes in this country are smuggled to avoid taxes.
- China
- Iran
- Russia
- Turkey
Iran
NOTE: In 2008, Canada's two largest tobacco companies paid $1.2 billion in fines for smuggling cigarettes. It is the largest fine ever levied in Canada.
What are the estimated tax losses in the United States due to the illegal cigarette trade?
- $5 billion
- $500 million
- $15 billion
- $250 million
$5 billion
NOTE: According to the ATF, it's $100 billion in Europe, making it the No. 1 economic crime in that region.
What was the year of the first U.S. Surgeon General's report, stating that smoking caused lung cancer.
- 1982
- 1948
- 1964
- 1932
1964
NOTE: Five years later, in 1969, The U.S. Surgeon General reported a link between smoking mothers and low birth weights for newborns.
According to the CDC, of all Americans with no more than a GED diploma, half of them smoke. What's the percentage of American adults with a graduate degree who smoke?
- 5.6%
- 8.2 %
- 12.8 %
- 17.2 %
5.6%
NOTE: The statistics clearly show that the more one is educated, the less likely he or she is to smoke.
More than 25 percent of Kentucky residents smoke, ranking it No. 1 among states for the highest percentage of smokers. But one other state is tied with Kentucky. Which state?
- North Carolina
- New York
- Oklahoma
- West Virginia
West Virginia
NOTE: Only 9.8 percent of Utah's citizens smoke, making it the least smokey state in the Union. See how your state stacks up.
New York has the highest cigarette tax: $4.35 per pack. Which state has the lowest?
- Kentucky
- South Dakota
- Missouri
- Alabama
Missouri
NOTE: Missouri charges only 17-cents per pack. Twenty-one states have cigarette taxes under one dollar.
Your score:
- 0-2 correct: You need a light
- 3-6 correct: Barely burning
- 7-10 correct: Smokin'
Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes
