Smoking appears to be increasing

For the first time more than a decade, Americans appear to be smoking more.

A confluence of factors — from a better jobs market to cheaper gasoline to reductions in government anti-smoking programs — are driving a months-long pickup in cigarette sales, analysts say. If current trends hold, 2015 could mark the first year since 2002 that sales volumes increase.

Not even tobacco companies are suggesting the long-term decline in smoking in the U.S. is reversing itself. Indeed, executives predict annual volumes will keep falling over time.

But recent data pointing to a slight increase in pack sales this year nonetheless underscore worrisome trends for public health officials. While the number of smokers in the U.S. has steadily declined, some smokers now seem to be lighting up more.

Others are turning to chewing tobacco and electronic cigarettes.