Those who lack health insurance are far more likely to smoke than those who do have coverage, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control. However, those covered by Medicaid are even more likely to smoke than the uninsured. 

The study found that the overall adult smoking rate in the U.S. has hit an all-time low of 16.8 percent. And among adults with private health insurance, the rate is even lower — 12.8 percent. The smoking rate was more than twice as high for the uninsured — 27.9 percent — but even higher for those on Medicaid, 29.1 percent of whom smoke. 

The study was greeted as a sign of progress by the CDC due to the dramatic decline in overall smoking that it revealed. The overall rate in 2005 was 20.9 percent. 

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